How to say "continue" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 続くつづくgodan verb, intransitive verbFor things that go on by themselves: the intransitive 'continue'. A meeting, the rain, a series or a state lasts or keeps going without anyone actively doing anything — the subject is what continues.
- 続けるつづけるichidan verb, transitive verbThe transitive counterpart: someone continues or keeps up an activity they have been doing, such as study or a sport. Use it when a person carries on doing something, not when a thing merely lasts.
- 引き継ぐひきつぐgodan verb, transitive verbNot the word for plain 'continue': it really means to take over or inherit — succeeding to someone's duties or business, carrying on a tradition. Use it when a successor carries on what another person began.
Use 「続く」 when something goes on or lasts by itself, 「続ける」 when someone keeps an activity up, and 「引き継ぐ」 only for carrying on what someone else started — duties, a business, a tradition.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 続くつづくto continue
- 続けるつづけるto continue
- 引き継ぐひきつぐto take over (someone's duties, business, etc.)
- てくto continue
- 引き続くひきつづくto continue (for a long time)
- コンティニューcontinue (option)
- 言葉を継ぐことばをつぐto continue (to say)
- 歩み続けるあゆみつづけるto continue (walking)
- 一途をたどるいっとをたどるto continue
- 先を続けるさきをつづけるto continue
- 存置そんちmaintain
- くるto come to be
- 通すとおすto continue (in a state)
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