继续

• Pinyin: jì xù
• Hanzi breakdown: 继 = 纟(thread) + 㡭 (footsteps following), meaning to carry on in sequence; 续 = 纟(thread) + 卖 (sell/extend), meaning to extend or prolong

Meaning

To continue; to go on; to carry on. The act of resuming or maintaining an activity without stopping.

One of the most commonly used verbs in Chinese for indicating continuation. Can precede another verb directly (继续学习 — continue studying) or stand alone. Also used as a noun in formal writing to mean 'continuation.' Used across all contexts, from casual speech to formal writing.

Examples

1. 请大家继续做作业，不要说话。 Please everyone continue doing your homework and stop talking.
2. 他休息了一会儿，然后继续工作。 He rested for a while and then continued working.
3. 这部小说还没写完，作者打算继续写下去。 This novel isn't finished yet — the author plans to keep writing it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, work, study, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们明天继续讨论这个问题。(Let's continue discussing this issue tomorrow.)
• 电影暂停了，按一下开始就可以继续了。(The film is paused — press play to continue.)

Don't Say

• 继续你的梦想吧。(While 继续 can technically precede nouns in some compound forms, it is more natural to say 坚持你的梦想 when encouraging someone to pursue a dream.)

Origin & History

Compound of 继 (to follow, to succeed) and 续 (to continue, to extend), both conveying the idea of carrying something forward without a break.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal