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
How to form 続ける
Examples of the pattern:
- 勉強し + 続ける
- 降り + 続ける
- 走り + 続ける
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is 続ける on the JLPT?
続ける appears on the JLPT N4.
- Recognize it in reading passages
- Understand its nuance in context
- Use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for 続ける
Learning path for 続ける
Related grammar to review next
- てくる — come to; do and come back.
- てみる — try doing.
- ておく — do in advance; leave done.
- てしまう — completion and regret.
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.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about 続ける
What does 続ける (tsuzukeru) mean in Japanese?
続ける (tsuzukeru) means “keep doing”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. 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).
How do you form 続ける (tsuzukeru)?
Verb masu-stem + 続ける
What is an example sentence with 続ける (tsuzukeru)?
毎日日本語を勉強し続けています。 — I keep studying Japanese every day.