continúa
/kontinua/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'go on' is translated as continúa.
The verb is used to express the idea of continuing an action. When you want to say 'go on with [something]', Spanish speakers often use the preposition con after the verb, such as continúa con tu trabajo.
Meaning: continue an action (verb)
Which one should you use?
While continúa is used to continue an action, it is distinct from sigue, which is a more common colloquial way to say 'keep going' or 'go on' in many contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
continúa is the imperative (command) or indicative (present) form for the informal singular 'tú'. To address someone formally, use continúe instead of continúa. The plural form of the verb is continúan, used when saying 'they/you all go on'.
How do you pronounce it?
/kontinua/
Did you know?
- If you want someone to 'go on' speaking because you are listening intently, you might simply say adelante, which literally means 'forward'.
- The word continúa comes from the Latin continuare, which literally means to 'join together' or 'link'.
- While continúa is a direct command, Spanish speakers often use the phrase no pares meaning 'do not stop' to encourage someone to go on with a story.
Examples in context
- Continúa tu historia, por favor.Please go on with your story.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask someone to go on with their story using continúa.Tatoeba #3813436 by cueyayotl, translation #16850 by papabear
- Continúa.Go on.This sentence is useful for practicing the command continúa.Tatoeba #4940109 by Francisco_M, translation #2230774 by CK
- Por favor, continúe con su presentación.Please, go on with your presentation.
- Le insto a que siga adelante con su investigación.I urge you to go on with your research.
- Proceda con su explicación paso a paso.Proceed with your explanation step by step.
- El conferencista principal continuó su discurso sin interrupciones.The main speaker went on with their speech without interruptions.
- Por favor, proceda con el siguiente punto en la agenda.Please, go on with the next item on the agenda.
- ¡Sigue contando esa historia interesante!Go on telling that interesting story!
- Sigue hablando, me encanta escucharte.Go on talking, I love listening to you.
- ¡Anda, diles lo que pasó!Go on, tell them what happened!
- Anda, no te detengas ahora, estás haciendo un buen trabajo.Go on, don't stop now, you are doing a great job.
- Continúa con tu explicación.Continue with your explanation.
- Continúa con tu trabajo, por favor.Continue with your work, please.
Example conversation
Elena is listening to Javier describe a trip.
- ElenaEso suena increíble, Javier.That sounds incredible, Javier.
- JavierLuego fuimos a la playa.Then we went to the beach.
- ElenaContinúa, quiero saber más.Go on, I want to know more.
- JavierEl agua estaba muy fría.The water was very cold.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
