continue
To keep on going in French is continue.
The word continue is used to express the act of continuing to move forward or persisting in an activity without stopping. While it translates to 'to continue', it does not inherently carry the same emphatic 'on and on' nuance found in the English phrasal verb 'keep on going' unless you provide additional context or adverbs.
Which one should you use?
If you wish to express the specific idea of continuing an action with even more vigor or renewed intensity, you can use the phrase continuer de plus belle.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use continuer followed by an infinitive, you can use either the preposition à or de. Both continuer à and continuer de are grammatically acceptable.
Did you know?
- The word continue shares a root with the English word 'continent', as both derive from the Latin 'continere', meaning to hold together or contain.
- When encouraging someone to keep going during a difficult task, French speakers often use the phrase Tenez bon, which literally means 'hold fast' or 'hold tight'.
- The phrase continuer de plus belle implies that a situation is continuing with even more intensity than before, often describing an argument or a storm that returns with renewed strength.
Examples in context
- Les prix continueront à augmenter.Prices will keep on going up.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe a trend using continue.Tatoeba #12009186 by lbdx, translation #9250986 by CK
- Le succès vient à ceux qui continuent malgré les obstacles.Success comes to those who keep on going despite obstacles.
- Nous devons persévérer et aller de l'avant.We must persevere and move forward.
- Face aux difficultés, ne rien lâcher et continuer d'avancer.In the face of difficulties, keep on going and keep moving forward.
- Nous devons rester forts et ne rien lâcher malgré les échecs temporaires.We must stay strong and keep on going despite temporary failures.
- Ne baisse pas les bras, continue à tenir bon !Don't give up, keep on going!
- Tu peux le faire, continue à garder le cap !You can do it, keep on going!
- N'oublie pas d'avancer et de garder le cap sur tes objectifs.Don't forget to move forward and keep on going towards your goals.
- Tu dois continuer à travailler dur.You must continue to work hard.
- Elle veut continuer à courir malgré la fatigue.She wants to keep on going despite the fatigue.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are hiking up a steep hill.
- NathanJe suis vraiment fatigué, Manon.I am really tired, Manon.
- ManonAllez, on doit continuer !Come on, we have to keep on going!
- NathanLe sommet est encore loin ?Is the summit still far?
- ManonC'est juste là, continue encore un peu.It's right there, keep on going a bit more.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
