sigue cantando
/siɡe kantando/from spelling rules
To say "keep singing" in Spanish, use sigue cantando.
The phrase sigue cantando is used to tell someone to continue the act of singing.
Which one should you use?
While sigue cantando refers to the continuation of the ongoing action of singing, it is distinct from the phrase canta más, which means "sing more".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase sigue cantando, the word sigue functions as an imperative or command directed at the informal tú. To tell a group of people to keep singing, use the plural form sigan cantando.
When do people say it?
You can add a friendly touch to the phrase by saying ¡Sigue cantando, hermano/hermana!, which means "Keep singing, brother/sister!"
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase cantando is used in the idiom cantando las cuarenta, which means to tell someone the truth bluntly or to scold them.
- In Spanish, the word cantar can also mean to confess or 'sing' to the police, similar to the English slang used in crime movies.
- In many Spanish-speaking musical contexts, such as flamenco, the command to 'keep singing' might be expressed as ¡dale! or ¡así! to encourage the performer's passion rather than just the physical act.
Examples in context
- Sigue cantando.Keep singing.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase sigue cantando.Tatoeba #4764892 by DarkHollow, translation #2111638 by CK
- No te detengas, sigue cantando.Don't stop, keep singing.
- Ella me dijo: "Sigue cantando, lo haces muy bien".She told me, "Keep singing, you do it very well".
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are at a karaoke night.
- Lucía¡Qué buena voz tienes, Alejandro!What a great voice you have, Alejandro!
- AlejandroGracias, pero estoy un poco nervioso.Thanks, but I am a little nervous.
- LucíaNo tengas miedo, sigue cantando.Don't be afraid, keep singing.
- AlejandroEstá bien, lo intentaré de nuevo.Okay, I will try again.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
