続ける

• Reading: つづける
• Romaji: tsuzukeru
• Kanji breakdown: 続 (zoku/tsuzuku) — continue, follow, sequel
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.zɯ.ke.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To continue; to keep up; to keep on. Maintaining an action or state without stopping.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Pairs with the intransitive 続く (tsuzuku). Frequently attached to the stem of other verbs as a compound: 走り続ける (keep running), 食べ続ける (keep eating). One of the most useful verbs for expressing persistence.

Examples

1. 毎日三十分の運動を続けています。 I've been continuing to exercise for thirty minutes every day.
2. 雨が降っても走り続けた。 Even though it was raining, I kept running.
3. 日本語の勉強をこれからも続けたいです。 I want to keep studying Japanese from now on too.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, sports, study

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the kanji 続 (zoku/tsuzuku) meaning continue and follow. Depicts silk threads being joined end to end, symbolising unbroken continuation.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal