Explanation at your level:
You use 继续 when you want to say 'keep doing'. If you are eating, you can say 'continue eating'. It is very easy to use! Just put it before the action you want to keep doing. You will use this word every day to tell your friends to keep playing or keep talking.
At this level, you can use 继续 to describe daily habits. 'I will continue to learn Chinese' is a great sentence to practice. It helps you connect your actions. Remember, it always comes before the activity you are doing.
Intermediate learners use 继续 to talk about progress. You might say, 'We must continue our discussion about the project.' It is useful for formal emails or when you need to ask someone to carry on with a task after a break.
At this stage, notice how 继续 pairs with abstract nouns or complex verb phrases. You can use it to express determination: 'Despite the difficulties, he continued to pursue his dream.' It adds nuance to your storytelling and professional communication.
Advanced learners use 继续 in academic and literary contexts. It can imply a sense of legacy or historical continuity. You might describe how a movement 'continues' a tradition from the past. It is a powerful word for linking ideas across long paragraphs.
Mastery of 继续 involves understanding its subtle role in formal rhetoric. It can denote the 'resumption' of a legal or philosophical argument. In literature, it can be used to describe the 'continuation' of a character's journey or fate, carrying weight beyond simple physical action.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to keep going.
- Used before verbs.
- Neutral tone.
- Essential for daily life.
When you use the word 继续 (jì xù), you are talking about the act of continuing or going on. Think of it as the opposite of a 'stop' sign. Whether you are reading a book, running a race, or working on a project, this word captures the essence of persistence.
It is a very flexible verb in Mandarin. You can use it to talk about resuming something that was paused, or simply keeping a current action flowing. It is a fundamental building block for expressing perseverance and continuity in daily life.
The character 继 (jì) originally referred to the act of connecting threads or ropes, symbolizing succession and linkage. The character 续 (xù) also carries the meaning of connecting or adding on, often used in the context of weaving.
Together, 继续 creates a strong image of an unbroken line. Historically, it evolved from the concept of lineage and succession—keeping the family line or a tradition alive. Over centuries, it shifted from physical connections to abstract actions, becoming the standard term for 'to continue' in modern Chinese.
You will find 继续 used in almost every context, from casual chats to formal business meetings. It is often followed by another verb to specify what exactly is being continued. For example, 继续工作 (continue working) or 继续学习 (continue studying).
In formal settings, it is used to denote 'resuming' a meeting or a discussion. In casual settings, it is a simple encouragement: 'Keep going!' It is a neutral term, meaning it doesn't carry heavy emotional weight—it just describes the duration of an action.
1. 再接再厉 (zài jiē zài lì): To continue to make persistent efforts. 2. 断断续续 (duàn duàn xù xù): Off and on; intermittent. 3. 后继有人 (hòu jì yǒu rén): To have successors; the tradition continues. 4. 前赴后继 (qián fù hòu jì): One follows another; advancing wave upon wave. 5. 续弦 (xù xián): To remarry (literally 'to continue the string').
Grammatically, 继续 is a transitive verb. It is usually placed before another verb phrase. It does not change based on tense, as Chinese uses particles like '了' or '着' to indicate aspect. Pronounced 'jee-shoo' (with falling then falling-rising tones), it requires careful attention to the fourth tone (jì) and fourth tone (xù).
It rhymes loosely with words like 'shoe' or 'true' in English, though the tones are the most important part for clarity. Practice the transition between the two falling tones to sound more natural.
Fun Fact
The character 续 originally depicted silk threads being joined together.
Pronunciation Guide
Approximation of Mandarin sounds.
Approximation of Mandarin sounds.
Common Errors
- Mixing tones
- Dropping the second tone
- Mispronouncing the 'x' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb-Verb structure
继续学习
Imperative form
请继续
Aspect markers
继续着
Examples by Level
请继续。
Please continue.
Simple imperative.
继续走。
Keep walking.
Verb-verb structure.
继续吃。
Keep eating.
Direct command.
继续看。
Keep watching.
Imperative.
继续工作。
Keep working.
Verb phrase.
继续学。
Keep learning.
Simple verb.
继续说。
Keep talking.
Imperative.
继续跑。
Keep running.
Action verb.
继续努力学习。
我们继续讨论。
请继续你的故事。
他继续往前走。
我想继续看电影。
别停，继续做。
继续保持联系。
她继续写作业。
会议将在午休后继续。
他决定继续攻读博士学位。
我们要继续发扬这种精神。
请继续刚才的话题。
尽管下雨，我们还是继续赶路。
这项研究将继续进行。
我们要继续改进工作方法。
他继续在公司担任要职。
这场辩论还将继续一段时间。
我们必须继续关注事态的发展。
他继续保持着沉默。
这种趋势可能会继续下去。
为了实现目标，必须继续奋斗。
她继续从事慈善事业。
我们继续探讨了解决方案。
这项政策将继续执行。
历史的进程不会因为个人而停止，它将继续向前。
这一发现为科学研究提供了继续深入的契机。
他继续坚持自己的学术立场。
该项目将继续在国际范围内推广。
我们必须继续反思这些社会问题。
这种文化传统得以继续流传。
调查将继续深入开展。
他继续以冷静的态度处理危机。
文明的火种继续在人类心中燃烧。
他继续在哲学领域进行深奥的探索。
这一现象继续引起学界的广泛关注。
尽管面临重重阻力，他依然继续前行。
我们应当继续审视历史的教训。
这种艺术风格继续影响着现代设计。
他继续致力于消除贫困。
该理论继续在学术界产生深远影响。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"再接再厉"
To continue making persistent efforts
这次做得好，要再接再厉。
formal"断断续续"
Intermittent
信号断断续续。
neutral"前赴后继"
Advancing wave upon wave
战士们前赴后继。
literary"后继有人"
Having successors
这项技术终于后继有人了。
formal"续弦"
Remarrying
他决定续弦。
literaryEasily Confused
Both mean continue
持续 is for states, 继续 is for actions
雨持续 (state) vs 他继续走 (action)
Both imply sequence
接着 means 'next', 继续 means 'keep doing'
接着做 vs 继续做
Both imply persistence
坚持 is 'insist/persevere', 继续 is 'continue'
坚持到底 vs 继续工作
Both imply movement
延伸 is physical, 继续 is abstract
道路延伸 vs 继续学习
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 继续 + Verb
我继续学习。
请 + 继续 + Verb
请继续说。
Subject + 继续 + Verb + Object
他继续写作业。
尽管 + Condition, + Subject + 继续 + Verb
尽管很累，他继续工作。
Subject + 将 + 继续 + Verb
会议将继续进行。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
继续 is for actions/states, not objects.
Word order is strictly verb + object.
继续 is for human action.
接着 implies 'then', 继续 implies 'keep doing'.
It is not a noun in Chinese.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a long road.
Native Speakers
Used to encourage others.
Persistence
Valued in Chinese culture.
Verb Order
Always before the verb.
Tones
Both are 4th tone.
Don't use as noun
It's not a thing.
Silk Roots
Silk connection.
Flashcards
Use with verbs.
Clear Enunciation
J-i-x-u.
Formal Context
Great for meetings.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine two threads (继) being tied (续) together to keep going.
Visual Association
A runner passing a baton.
Word Web
Challenge
Say '继续' every time you start a new task today.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Connecting threads
Cultural Context
None.
Direct translation of 'continue'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 继续学习
- 继续做题
- 继续听课
At work
- 继续工作
- 继续开会
- 继续项目
Travel
- 继续走
- 继续前进
- 继续旅行
Conversation
- 请继续
- 继续说
- 继续讨论
Conversation Starters
"你打算继续学习什么？"
"你今天继续工作了吗？"
"请继续你的故事。"
"我们继续讨论这个话题吧。"
"你为什么想继续努力？"
Journal Prompts
What do you want to continue doing?
Why is it hard to continue?
Describe a time you continued despite failure.
What tradition do you want to continue?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is for actions.
It is neutral.
Chinese uses particles like '了'.
Use 停止.
Use 持续.
Yes.
Yes, '请继续'.
It rhymes with 'issue'.
Test Yourself
请___工作。
Continue working.
Which means 'Keep learning'?
继续 means keep.
继续 can be used for physical objects.
It is for actions.
Word
Meaning
Antonyms.
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Score: /5
Summary
继续 is the simple, essential verb for keeping any action alive.
- Means to keep going.
- Used before verbs.
- Neutral tone.
- Essential for daily life.
Memory Palace
Imagine a long road.
Native Speakers
Used to encourage others.
Persistence
Valued in Chinese culture.
Verb Order
Always before the verb.
Example
请大家继续工作。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
一下儿
A1a bit, a moment
点儿
A1a little bit
有点儿
A1a little, somewhat (negative connotation)
一下
A2A bit; a moment (used after a verb).
异样
B1different; unusual; strange
关于
A1about, concerning
快要
A2to be about to (happen)
大约
B1Used to show that a number or amount is not exact; approximately.
上边
A2above, on top
上面
A1on, above, over
