続ける

続ける means keep doing or continue. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to show that an action persists over time.

You will see this pattern in JLPT N4 reading passages, everyday conversation, and textbook examples. If you want to say that you keep performing an action without stopping, 続ける is the pattern to use.

What does 続ける mean?

Use 続ける when you want to express that an action keeps going over a period of time. It can function as an auxiliary verb attached to another verb, or as a standalone transitive verb meaning “to continue (something).”

Natural translations include:

• keep doing
• continue
• carry on

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

How to form 続ける

Examples of the pattern:

• 勉強べんきょうし + 続ける
• 降ふり + 続ける
• 走はしり + 続ける

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

When is 続ける used?

Use 続ける in situations like:

• describing an action that persists over hours, days, or longer
• emphasizing sustained effort or repetition
• adding precision to a sentence beyond basic N5 patterns

Tone and register:

• neutral; common in both spoken and written Japanese
• frequently tested on JLPT N4 and used in daily conversation

続ける example sentences

After reading each sentence, ask what job 続ける is doing: emphasizing that an action is maintained without interruption. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of 続ける

The key nuance is persistence over time. 続ける does not simply mean an action is happening; it emphasizes that the action is maintained without interruption.

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation. In context, 続ける signals that the speaker feels the action requires effort or has an extended duration. Compared with ている, it carries a stronger sense of continuation.

続ける vs ている

Both 続ける and ている can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Does the speaker want to stress that the action never stopped, or simply state that it is happening? The nuance often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with 続ける

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with 続ける, then rewrite it with ている. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is 続ける on the JLPT?

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

Practice questions for 続ける

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

Learning path for 続ける

Related grammar to review next

• てくる — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
• てみる — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
• ておく — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.
• てしまう — compares another て-form auxiliary that changes action flow or completion.

Learn 続ける with Hane

If you want to review 続ける together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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