続(つづ)ける

つづける
verb (ichidan)
to continue
1. to continue, to keep doing
To maintain an action or state without stopping. Can be used as a main verb or as an auxiliary verb attached to other verb stems.
勉強(べんきょう)を続(つづ)ける。
To continue studying.
雨(あめ)が降(ふ)り続(つづ)けている。
The rain keeps falling.
Auxiliary usage: verb stem + 続(つづ)ける
努力(どりょく)を続(つづ)けることが大切(たいせつ)です。
It's important to continue making effort.
忙(いそが)しくても毎日(まいにち)日本語(にほんご)の勉強(べんきょう)を続(つづ)けている。
Even though I'm busy, I continue studying Japanese every day.
彼女(かのじょ)は一度(いちど)も休(やす)まずに10年間(ねんかん)ピアノを弾(ひ)き続(つづ)けて、プロの演奏家(えんそうか)になった。
She kept playing piano for 10 years without taking a single break, and became a professional musician.
Auxiliary usage: 弾(ひ)き続(つづ)ける = keep playing

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pair: 続(つづ)く (intransitive, to continue). Pattern: Xを続(つづ)ける (continue X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing state. 続(つづ)けている = 'has been continuing.'

MAIN VERB PATTERNS:

  • 仕事(しごと)を続(つづ)ける (continue work)
  • 勉強(べんきょう)を続(つづ)ける (continue studying)
  • 努力(どりょく)を続(つづ)ける (continue making effort)

AUXILIARY VERB USAGE (very common):

Attach to verb stem (masu-stem) to mean 'keep ~ing':

  • 食(た)べ続(つづ)ける (keep eating)
  • 走(はし)り続(つづ)ける (keep running)
  • 考(かんが)え続(つづ)ける (keep thinking)

CONTRAST:

  • 続(つづ)ける (transitive): continue X / keep doing
  • 続(つづ)く (intransitive): X continues

Related Words

Pair verb: 続(つづ)く (intransitive, to continue)
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:53 · Revised 2026.3.7 11:58
01000/01231_tsuzukeru