What does 続 mean in Japanese?
続 means to continue or to keep going. The two kun’yomi — 続く (tsuzuku, intransitive: something continues) and 続ける (tsuzukeru, transitive: to keep doing something) — complete the start-continue-end triad alongside 始める and 終わる covered in this same Day 7 set.
続ける also functions as a highly productive auxiliary verb: 走り続ける (keep running), 勉強し続ける (keep studying), 待ち続ける (keep waiting). This suffix pattern is essential for expressing persistence or an unbroken action in Japanese.
Reading
On’yomi: ゾク (zoku)
Kun’yomi: つづ-く (tsuzu-ku), つづ-ける (tsuzu-keru)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 続 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | continue, last |
| Stroke Count | 13 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
続く (intransitive): something goes on without interruption — 雨が続く (the rain continues), 会議が続く (the meeting goes on). 続ける (transitive): you maintain or sustain an action — 練習を続ける (keep practicing), 話を続ける (continue speaking). 連続 (renzoku) emphasises an unbroken sequence: 3連勝 (three consecutive wins), 連続ドラマ (TV drama series that runs week after week).
Common Words
- 続く（つづく / tsuzuku） — to continue, to last (intransitive)
- 続ける（つづける / tsuzukeru） — to keep doing, to continue (transitive)
- 連続（れんぞく / renzoku） — consecutive, continuous, series
- 続き（つづき / tsuzuki） — continuation, sequel, what comes next
- 手続き（てつづき / tetsuzuki） — procedure, formalities, paperwork
- 〜続ける（〜つづける / ~tsuzukeru） — to keep doing ~ (auxiliary verb)
Example Sentences
-
雨が3日間続いています。
あめがみっかかんつづいています。 / Ame ga mikkakan tsuzuite imasu.
The rain has been continuing for three days.
-
毎日運動を続けることが大切です。
まいにちうんどうをつづけることがたいせつです。 / Mainichi undou o tsuzukeru koto ga taisetsu desu.
It is important to keep exercising every day.
-
入学手続きをしてください。
にゅうがくてつづきをしてください。 / Nyuugaku tetsuzuki o shite kudasai.
Please complete the enrollment procedures.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
The 続く / 続ける pair completes the Day 7 start-continue-end pattern: 始める → 続ける → 終える. 雨が続く (the rain continues) vs 運動を続ける (keep exercising). The direction is: 続く = it keeps going on its own; 続ける = you keep it going.
〜続ける as an auxiliary attaches to the verb masu-stem: 走り続ける (keep running), 働き続ける (keep working), 笑い続ける (keep laughing). Unlike 〜始める (start) or 〜終わる (finish), 〜続ける expresses the middle of an action — unbroken continuation. This trio of compound verb suffixes is fundamental N4 grammar.
手続き (tetsuzuki, procedure/formalities) is a high-frequency compound: 入学手続き (enrollment procedures), ビザの手続き (visa procedures), 手続きをする (complete the necessary steps). Note the spelling and pronunciation: てつづき uses つづ from 続, written with づ rather than ず.
連続 (renzoku, consecutive/continuous) = 連 (link) + 続 (continue). 連続ドラマ (serialised TV drama), 3連続ホームラン (three home runs in a row), 連続して起こる (happen consecutively). 連続 emphasises a linked, unbroken sequence.
Summary
続 means to continue or last, with 続く (intransitive) and 続ける (transitive) as the core verbs, 〜続ける as a productive auxiliary for expressing ongoing actions, and 手続き as a high-frequency practical compound.