続ける (つづける) — Japanese Vocabulary
続ける (つづける / tsuzukeru): to continue. N4 level Japanese vocabulary.
続ける — つづける (tsuzukeru)
Part of speech: verb-ru (ichidan verb) JLPT level: N4 Reading: つづける (tsuzukeru) Meaning: to continue, to keep up, to maintain
Word Breakdown
続 (ZOKU / tsuzuku): This kanji depicts a silk thread (糸) being connected or continued. It carries the meaning of "succession," "connection," or "continuation."
All Readings
- 続 (ZOKU):
- On-yomi (音読み): ゾク (zoku)
- Kun-yomi (訓読み): つづ・く (tsuzuku), つづ・ける (tsuzukeru)
- In this word: The kun-yomi つづ (tsuzu) is used, followed by the okurigana ける (keru).
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 勉強を続ける。 | べんきょうをつづける。 | Benkyō o tsuzukeru. | I will continue studying. |
| 努力を続ける。 | どりょくをつづける。 | Doryoku o tsuzukeru. | I will keep making an effort. |
| 雨が降り続いている。 | あめがふりつづいている。 | Ame ga furitsuzuite iru. | It has been raining continuously. |
| 夢を追い続ける。 | ゆめをおいつづける。 | Yume o oitsuzukeru. | I will continue to chase my dream. |
| 彼は話を続けた。 | かれははなしをつづけた。 | Kare wa hanashi o tsuzuketa. | He continued his story. |
| 仕事を続けるべきだ。 | しごとをつづけるべきだ。 | Shigoto o tsuzukeru beki da. | You should continue your work. |
| 毎日走ることを続ける。 | まいにちはしることをつづける。 | Mainichi hashiru koto o tsuzukeru. | I will continue running every day. |
| 試合は明日も続く。 | しあいはあしたもつづく。 | Shiai wa ashita mo tsuzuku. | The match will continue tomorrow. |
Conjugation Table
| Form | Affirmative | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Present | 続ける (tsuzukeru) | 続けない (tsuzukenai) |
| Plain Past | 続けた (tsuzuketa) | 続けなかった (tsuzukenakatta) |
| Polite Present | 続けます (tsuzukemasu) | 続けません (tsuzukemasen) |
| Polite Past | 続けました (tsuzukemashita) | 続けませんでした (tsuzukemasen deshita) |
| Te-form | 続けて (tsuzukete) | — |
| Potential | 続けられる (tsuzukerareru) | 続けられない (tsuzukerarenai) |
| Passive | 続けられる (tsuzukerareru) | 続けられない (tsuzukerarenai) |
| Causative | 続けさせる (tsuzukesaseru) | 続けさせない (tsuzukesasenai) |
Related Words and Compounds
| Japanese | Reading | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 続く | つづく | tsuzuku | to continue (intransitive) |
| 続き | つづき | tsuzuki | continuation / sequel |
| 連続 | れんぞく | renzoku | series / succession |
| 手続き | てつづき | tetsuzuki | procedure / process |
| 相続 | そうぞく | sōzoku | inheritance |
| 続行 | ぞっこう | zokkō | continuation (of an action) |
| 持ち続ける | もちつづける | mochitsuzukeru | to keep holding/maintaining |
| 書き続ける | かきつづける | kakitsuzukeru | to keep writing |
Common Mistakes
- ❌ Intransitive vs. Transitive: Using tsuzukeru (transitive) when the subject is doing the continuing by itself.
- ✓ 雨が続く (Ame ga tsuzuku) — The rain continues (intransitive).
- ✓ 雨を続ける (Ame o tsuzukeru) — Incorrect; you cannot "do" the rain.
- ❌ Confusing with "again": Using tsuzukeru to mean "do again" (like mō ichido).
- ✓ もう一度やる (Mō ichido yaru) — Do it again.
- ✓ 続ける (Tsuzukeru) — Keep doing it without stopping.
In Context — Mini Dialogue
A: 日本語の勉強は大変ですか？ (Nihongo no benkyō wa taihen desu ka? / Is studying Japanese difficult?) B: はい、でも毎日続けることが大切だと思います。 (Hai, demo mainichi tsuzukeru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu. / Yes, but I think continuing every day is important.) A: そうですね。頑張ってください！ (Sō desu ne. Ganbatte kudasai! / That's true. Good luck!)
Usage Notes
- Transitivity: Tsuzukeru is a transitive verb (takes an object marked by を). It implies an agent is actively maintaining an action. Its intransitive counterpart is tsuzuku (to continue/last), which describes something that happens on its own.
- Compound Verbs: A very common usage is the "Verb Stem + 続ける" pattern (e.g., hashiritsuzukeru - to keep running). This is a highly productive way to express that an action is being performed continuously without interruption.
- Nuance: While tsuzukeru is neutral, it carries a sense of perseverance. In Japanese culture, "continuing" (tsuzukeru) is often praised as a virtue, especially regarding hobbies, work, or self-improvement.