What does “tsuzukeru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “tsuzukeru” to mean ‘to continue’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “tsuzukeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “tsuzukeru”
- Tsuzukenai: the nai form of “tsuzukeru”
- Tsuzukeyou: the volitional form of “tsuzukeru”
- Tsuzukemasu: the masu form of “tsuzukeru”
- Tsuzuketa: the ta form of “tsuzukeru”
- Tsuzukete: the te form of “tsuzukeru”
- Tsuzukereba: the ba form of “tsuzukeru”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “tsuzukeru”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “tsuzukeru”.
- tsuzukeru – 続ける (つづける) : a verb meaning ‘to continue’ or just ‘to keep’ in Japanese.
The definition and meanings are simple and clear, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “continue” in Japanese
watashi tachi wa doryoku wo tsuzukeru – 私達は努力を続ける (わたしたちはどりょくをつづける)
We continue our efforts.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to make its plural form, “watashi tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “watashi tachi” to make the subject in the sentence.
- doryoku – 努力 (どりょく) : a noun meaning ‘effort’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “doryoku” to make the object in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzukeru”. In the example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. When we want to mean ‘to continue’ in Japanese, anyway, this verb is a good option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “tsuzukeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “tsuzukenai”.
Tsuzukenai: the nai form of “tsuzukeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsuzukenai”.
- tsuzukenai – 続けない (つづけない) : the nai form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘not to continue’ or ‘not to keep’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsuzukenai” consists of the following two parts:
- tsuzuke – 続け (つづけ) : one conjugation of “tsuzukeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsuzukenai” is literally the nai form of “tsuzukeru” and means ‘not to continue’ or ‘not to keep’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “don’t continue” in Japanese
kanojo tachi wa doryoku wo tsuzukenai – 彼女達は努力を続けない (かのじょたちはどりょくをつづけない)
They don’t continue their efforts.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese. In the example, this works together with “tachi” to say “they” in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzukenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to continue’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Tsuzukeyou: the volitional form of “tsuzukeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsuzukeyou”.
- tsuzukeyou – 続けよう (つづけよう) : the volitional form of “tsuzukeru”, which expresses volition to continue or keep.
Grammatically, “tsuzukeyou” consists of the following two parts:
- tsuzuke – 続け (つづけ) : one conjugation of “tsuzukeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
- you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsuzukeyou” is literally the volitional form of “tsuzukeru” and expresses volition to continue or keep. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s continue” in Japanese
issho ni tabi wo tsuzukeyou – 一緒に旅を続けよう (いっしょにたびをつづけよう)
Let’s continue the journey together!
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- issho – 一緒 (いっしょ) : a noun meaning ‘same’, ‘being together’, or such in Japanese.
- ni – に : a case particle used to say how someone does something. In the example, this is used after “issho” to say “together” in Japanese.
- tabi – 旅 (たび) : a noun meaning ‘journey’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzukeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s continue” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Tsuzukemasu: the masu form of “tsuzukeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsuzukemasu”.
- tsuzukemasu – 続けます (つづけます) : the masu form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsuzukemasu” consists of the following two parts:
- tsuzuke – 続け (つづけ) : one conjugation of “tsuzukeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsuzukemasu” is literally the masu form of “tsuzukeru” and means ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “continue” politely in Japanese
boku tachi wa mada tabi wo tsuzukemasu – 僕達はまだ旅を続けます (ぼくたちはまだたびをつづけます)
We still continue our journey.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
- mada – まだ : an adverb meaning ‘still’ or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzukemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to say “continue” politely in Japanese, this form is a very good option.
Tsuzuketa: the ta form of “tsuzukeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsuzuketa”.
- tsuzuketa – 続けた (つづけた) : the ta form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘continued’, ‘kept’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsuzuketa” consists of the following two parts:
- tsuzuke – 続け (つづけ) : one conjugation of “tsuzukeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese ta form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsuzuketa” is literally the ta form of “tsuzukeru” and means ‘continued’, ‘kept’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “continued” in Japanese
sorekara karera wa tabi wo tsuzuketa – それから彼等は旅を続けた (それからかれらはたびをつづけた)
Then they continued the journey.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- sorekara – それから : a conjunction meaning ‘then’ or such in Japanese.
- karera – 彼等 (かれら) : a pronoun meaning ‘they’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzuketa”. When we want to use the past tense form of “tsuzukeru”, this ta form is the best option.
Tsuzukete: the te form of “tsuzukeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “tsuzukete”.
- tsuzukete – 続けて (つづけて) : the te form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsuzukete” consists of the following two parts:
- tsuzuke – 続け (つづけ) : one conjugation of “tsuzukeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsuzukete” is literally the te form of “tsuzukeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “tsuzukete” is very useful when we want to use “tsuzukeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “please continue” in Japanese
doryoku wo tsuzukete kudasai – 努力を続けてください (どりょくをつづけてください)
Please continue your efforts.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- kudasai – ください : one conjugation of the verb, “kudasaru”, which means ‘to give’ or such in Japanese. When this follows a verb, however, this can work like an auxiliary verb to add the meaning of ‘please’. In the example, this works like an auxiliary verb after “tsuzukete” to add the meaning of ‘please’.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzukete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “kudasai”. When we want to use “tsuzukeru” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
Tsuzukereba: the ba form of “tsuzukeru”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “tsuzukereba”.
- tsuzukereba – 続ければ (つづければ) : the ba form of “tsuzukeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “tsuzukereba” consists of the following two parts:
- tsuzukere – 続けれ (つづけれ) : one conjugation of “tsuzukeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “tsuzukereba” is literally the ba form of “tsuzukeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “tsuzukereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if continue” in Japanese
doryoku wo tsuzukereba, yume ga kanau – 努力を続ければ、夢が叶う (どりょくをつづければ、ゆめがかなう)
If you continue your efforts, your dream will come true.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- yume – 夢 (ゆめ) : a noun meaning ‘dream’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “yume” to make the subject in the second clause.
- kanau – 叶う (かなう) : a verb meaning ‘to come true’, ‘to be fulfilled’, or such in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “tsuzukereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “doryoku wo tsuzukereba”, which means ‘if you continue your efforts’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to continue’, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “tsuzukeru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- tsuzukeru – 続ける (つづける) : a verb meaning ‘to continue’ or just ‘to keep’ in Japanese.
- tsuzukenai – 続けない (つづけない) : the nai form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘not to continue’ or ‘not to keep’ in Japanese.
- tsuzukeyou – 続けよう (つづけよう) : the volitional form of “tsuzukeru”, which expresses volition to continue or keep.
- tsuzukemasu – 続けます (つづけます) : the masu form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ politely in Japanese.
- tsuzuketa – 続けた (つづけた) : the ta form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘continued’, ‘kept’, or such in Japanese.
- tsuzukete – 続けて (つづけて) : the te form of “tsuzukeru”, which means ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ in Japanese. When we want to use “tsuzukeru” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
- tsuzukereba – 続ければ (つづければ) : the ba form of “tsuzukeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to continue’ or ‘to keep’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.