Translation and Meaning of: 続ける - tsudukeru

The Japanese word 続ける [つづける] is an essential verb for those learning the language. Its primary meaning is "to continue" or "to proceed," but its richness goes beyond simple translation. In this article, we will explore everything from its kanji writing to everyday usage, including memorization tips and cultural curiosities. If you want to understand how the Japanese view persistence through this word, you’ve come to the right place.

The Suki Nihongo dictionary is a great reference for learning Japanese, and here we will break down everything about 続ける. From its origin to practical examples, you will discover how this word appears in conversations, animes, and even in Japanese proverbs. Shall we get started?

Meaning and use of 続ける in daily life

続ける is a verb that conveys the idea of continuity, whether in actions, habits, or situations. It can be used for concrete things, such as "continuing to read a book" (本を読み続ける), as well as for abstractions, like "maintaining a tradition" (伝統を続ける). The flexibility of this term makes it common in everyday dialogues.

In Japan, persistence is a strong cultural value, and 続ける reflects this. When someone says "練習を続ける" (continue practicing), there is a weight of dedication. It’s no coincidence that this word appears often in motivational speeches, series, and even in song lyrics. Its use goes beyond the literal, conveying resilience.

Origin and writing of the kanji 続ける

The kanji 続 is composed of two elements: 糸 (thread) and 売 (to sell). The combination suggests the idea of "connected threads," which makes sense for a verb that indicates continuity. This etymology is confirmed by sources such as Kanjipedia and 漢字源, respected dictionaries in the study of Japanese writing.

It is worth noting that the reading つづける is the most common, but the same kanji can be read as "zoku" in compound words, such as 連続 (renzoku - sequence). This detail is important for students, as it shows how a single ideogram can have multiple pronunciations depending on the context.

Tips for memorizing and using 続ける correctly

An effective way to 続ける is to associate it with repetitive actions. For example, think of "waking up early every day" (毎日早く起き続ける) or "studying Japanese without stopping" (日本語を勉強し続ける). Creating sentences with real-life situations helps internalize the verb. Anki and other spaced repetition apps are great for practice.

Another useful curiosity: 続ける often appears combined with the -te form of other verbs, such as "食べ続ける" (to continue eating). This pattern is common in animes and dramas, so paying attention to dialogues can be quite a training exercise. How about starting to identify 続ける in the next series you watch?

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  • Section 3: Real tips (association with actions + use in animes), avoiding invented methods.
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Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 続ける

  • 続ける - base form
  • 続けます - Polished form
  • 続けました - past form
  • 続けてください - imperative form
  • 続けよう conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

  • 継続する (Keizoku suru) - Continue or keep something ongoing.
  • つづける (Tsuzukeru) - Continue something, follow up on an action.
  • 続く (Tsuzuku) - Continue; refers to something that extends in time or space.
  • 続けていく (Tsuzukete iku) - Continue doing something continuously.
  • 継続していく (Keizoku shite iku) - Continue consistently over time.
  • 持続する (Jizoku suru) - To maintain something for a period of time, emphasizing durability.
  • 継続的に (Keizokuteki ni) - Continuously; it refers to the regularity of an action.
  • 連続する (Renzoku suru) - It occurs in sequence; it refers to events that follow one after another.
  • 継承する (Keishou suru) - Inheritance; ing something on, like a right or a tradition.
  • 継ぐ (Tsugu) - Hereditary, to succeed or continue something that was started by another person.
  • 継続的な (Keizokuteki na) - Continuous; adjective that describes something that is maintained for a long period.
  • 継続的な取り組み (Keizokuteki na torikumi) - Continuous efforts; actions that are consistently maintained over time.
  • 継続的な改善 (Keizokuteki na kaizen) - Continuous improvement; the process of consistently making something better.
  • 継続的な成長 (Keizokuteki na seichou) - Continuous growth; development that occurs in a constant manner.
  • 継続的な取引 (Keizokuteki na torihiki) - Continuous transactions; business interactions that occur regularly.
  • 継続的な発展 (Keizokuteki na hatten) - Continuous development; progress that is sustained over time.
  • 継続的な支援 (Keizokuteki na shien) - Continuous ; assistance that is provided consistently.
  • 継続的な取り組みをする (Keizokuteki na torikumi o suru) - Make continuous efforts; keep actions regular.

Related words

ダンス

dansu

dance

生きる

ikiru

to live; exist

怒り

ikari

anger; hate

言う

iu

say

歩く

aruku

to walk

歩む

ayumu

to walk; to go on foot

空く

aku

become empty; be less crowded

欲張り

yokubari

avarice; greed; greed

物語る

monogataru

to say; to indicate

持つ

motsu

to maintain; to possess; to take

続ける

Romaji: tsudukeru
Kana: つづける
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: Continue; keep yourself; proceed

Meaning in English: to continue;to keep up;to keep on

Definition: verb. Let things continue uninterrupted. Make it continuous.

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How to Write in Japanese - (続ける) tsudukeru

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (続ける) tsudukeru:

Example Sentences - (続ける) tsudukeru

See below some example sentences:

頂点を目指して努力し続ける。

Chouten wo mezashite doryoku shitsuzukeru

Keep striving to reach the top.

Keep aiming for the top.

  • 頂点 - top, peak
  • を - direct object particle
  • 目指して - To aim, to have as a goal
  • 努力 - effort, commitment
  • し続ける - keep doing
続けることが成功の秘訣です。

Tsuzukeru koto ga seikou no hiketsu desu

To keep going is the secret to success.

Continuing is the key to success.

  • 続ける - Continue
  • こと - thing
  • が - subject particle
  • 成功 - success
  • の - Possession particle
  • 秘訣 - secret
  • です - Verb "to be" in polite form
伝統を大切に守り続ける。

Dentou wo taisetsu ni mamori tsuzukeru

We continue to protect and cherish our traditions.

Keep the tradition carefully.

  • 伝統 (dentou) - Tradition
  • を (wo) - object particle
  • 大切 (taisetsu) - important, valuable
  • に (ni) - adverbial particle
  • 守り続ける (mamori tsuzukeru) - keep protecting, preserving
偉大なる目標を持ち続けることが成功への鍵である。

Idainaaru mokuhyou wo mochitsuzukeru koto ga seikou e no kagi de aru

Having a great goal is the key to continuous success.

Maintaining big goals is the key to success.

  • 偉大なる - Great, magnificent
  • 目標 - Objective, goal
  • を - direct object particle
  • 持ち続ける - maintain, continue to have
  • こと - abstract noun
  • が - subject particle
  • 成功 - success
  • への - preposition "to"
  • 鍵 - key
  • である - to be
私の情熱は永遠に燃え続ける。

Watashi no jōnetsu wa eien ni moetsuzukeru

My ion will continue to burn forever.

My ion continues to burn forever.

  • 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
  • の - particle indicating possession, equivalent to "meu" in Portuguese
  • 情熱 - noun meaning "ion" or "enthusiasm"
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in Portuguese
  • 永遠に - adverb meaning "forever" or "eternally"
  • 燃え続ける - compound verb meaning "to keep burning" or "to keep burning"
進み続けることが大切です。

Susumi tsuzukeru koto ga taisetsu desu

It's important to keep moving forward.

It's important to keep going.

  • 進み続ける - continuous progress
  • こと - abstract noun
  • が - subject particle
  • 大切 - important, valuable
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
突き当たるまで歩き続けた。

Tsukiataru made aruki tsuzuketa

I continued to walk until I reached the end of the street.

I kept walking until you hit it.

  • 突き当たる - verb meaning "to collide with something", "to hit something"
  • まで - particle indicating "until"
  • 歩き続けた - compound verb meaning "kept walking"

Other Words of this Type: verb

See other words from our dictionary that are also: verb

禁ずる

kinzuru

prohibit; suppress

消す

kesu

delete; remove; turn off the power

刈る

karu

Cut (hair); Stick (grass); to harvest; to fill in; Shear; to harvest; to trim; prune

老いる

oiru

age; get old

集める

atsumeru

collect; gather

続ける