続 — Continue, Succession

Meaning

The kanji 続 (ZOKU, tsuzuku, tsuzukeru) means to continue, to last, to go on, to connect, or succession. It describes something that maintains its state, action, or existence over time, or forms an unbroken sequence or link with something else. This kanji is common in Japanese, appearing in many words related to time, actions, relationships, and processes.

Its origin combines two components: the radical 糸 (いとへん - itohen), meaning thread or silk, on the left, and 売 (うり - uri), meaning to sell, on the right. The right component 売 mainly acts as a phonetic indicator, giving the kanji its On'yomi sound ゾク (ZOKU). The left radical 糸, however, is highly significant to its meaning. Imagine a continuous thread being spun or unwound. This symbolizes an unbroken line or an ongoing process. Threads are inherently about connection and extension, which aligns perfectly with the concept of continuity. This visual connection to an endless thread helps make the meaning of 'continue' or 'connect' easy to understand.

With 11 strokes, 続 is taught in the 4th grade of Japanese elementary schools. This reflects its common usage and importance for early Japanese language learners. Its inclusion in the N3 JLPT level also highlights its importance for intermediate learners.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi reading for 続 is ゾク (Zoku). You'll typically find this reading in compound words (熟語, 熟語じゅくご) where 続 combines with other kanji. These compounds often convey more abstract or formal concepts related to continuation, connection, or sequence.

継続けいぞく (keizoku) — This compound means continuation, persistence, or duration. It refers to something ongoing without interruption. For example, 学習がくしゅうの継続けいぞく (gakushū no keizoku) means 'the continuation of studies'.
接続せつぞく (setsuzoku) — Meaning connection, joining, or linkage. This is frequently used for physical or abstract connections, like internet connections or grammatical conjunctions. For instance,インターネット接続せつぞく (intānetto setsuzoku) refers to an internet connection.
相続そうぞく (sōzoku) — This word means inheritance or succession. It is used in legal or familial contexts, referring to the passing down of property, titles, or responsibilities. For example, 遺産いさんの相続そうぞく (isan no sōzoku) means 'inheritance of an estate'.
連続れんぞく (renzoku) — Meaning succession, series, or continuity. It emphasizes a sequence of events or items one after another without a break. For example, 連続れんぞくドラマ (renzoku dorama) is a TV drama series.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kanji 続 has two main Kun'yomi readings, both derived from native Japanese verbs. You'll frequently encounter them in everyday language, and they differ based on whether the verb is transitive or intransitive.

つづ.く (tsuzu.ku) — This is the intransitive form of the verb, meaning to continue, to last, to go on, or to extend. It describes something that continues on its own, without a direct object. When used with okurigana, it is written as 続くつづく. For example, 雨あめが続つづく (ame ga tsuzuku) means 'the rain continues'. 道みちが続つづく (michi ga tsuzuku) means 'the road continues'.
つづ.ける (tsuzu.keru) — This is the transitive form of the verb, meaning to continue (something), to keep up (something), or to resume. This form requires a direct object (marked by the particle を, をを), indicating what is being continued by someone or something. When used with okurigana, it is written as 続けるつづける. For example, 仕事しごとを続つづける (shigoto wo tsuzukeru) means 'to continue work'. 勉強べんきょうを続つづける (benkyō wo tsuzukeru) means 'to continue studying'.

Common Words & Compounds

Here are some essential words and compounds that use the kanji 続. They are categorized by their nuanced meanings to help you better understand their usage:

General Continuation & Series

続くつづく (tsuzuku) — Intransitive verb: to continue, to last, to go on. Often used for events, weather, or roads.
続けるつづける (tsuzukeru) — Transitive verb: to continue (something), to keep doing (something). Implies deliberate action.
続きつづき (tsuzuki) — Noun: continuation, sequel. Often seen in 'part two' or 'next episode' contexts.
連続れんぞく (renzoku) — Noun/Adjectival noun: succession, series, continuity. Emphasizes an unbroken sequence.
継続けいぞく (keizoku) — Noun/Verb (suru): continuation, persistence, duration. More formal than 連続, often used for maintaining a state or condition.
継続的けいぞくてき (keizokuteki) — Adjectival noun: continuous, persistent. Describing something that has the quality of being continuous.

Connection & Linking

接続せつぞく (setsuzoku) — Noun/Verb (suru): connection, joining, linkage. Used for physical and abstract connections like networks or devices.
接続詞せつぞくし (setsuzokushi) — Noun: conjunction (grammar). Words that connect sentences or clauses.

Succession & Inheritance

相続そうぞく (sōzoku) — Noun/Verb (suru): inheritance, succession. Specifically refers to inheriting property, rights, or status.
相続人そうぞくにん (sōzokunin) — Noun: heir, successor. A person who inherits.

Procedures & Sequels

手続てつづき (tetsuzuki) — Noun: procedure, formalities. It's often written as 手続き, including the okurigana. Refers to the steps needed to complete something.
続編ぞくへん (zokuhen) — Noun: sequel (to a book, movie, etc.). The next installment in a series.

Example Sentences

雨あめが一日中いちにちじゅう続つづいています。

Ame ga ichinichijū tsuzuite imasu.

The rain has been continuing all day long.

健康けんこうのために、運動うんどうを毎日続まいにちつづけています。

Kenkō no tame ni, undō wo mainichi tsuzukete imasu.

I continue exercising every day for my health.

このシリーズの続つづきが楽たのしみです。

Kono shirīzu no tsuzuki ga tanoshimi desu.

I'm looking forward to the continuation of this series.

インターネットへの接続せつぞくが不安定ふあんていです。

Intānetto e no setsuzoku ga fuantei desu.

The internet connection is unstable.

この仕事しごとは来週らいしゅうまで継続けいぞくします。

Kono shigoto wa raishū made keizoku shimasu.

This work will continue until next week.

彼かれは家業かぎょうを継つぎ、伝統でんとうを続つづけています。

Kare wa kagyō wo tsugi, dentō wo tsuzukete imasu.

He succeeded the family business and continues the tradition.

災害さいがいの後あと、復旧作業ふっきゅうさぎょうが数週間すうしゅうかん続つづきました。

Saigai no ato, fukkyū sagyō ga sūshūkan tsuzukimashita.

After the disaster, restoration work continued for several weeks.

部長ぶちょうは新あたらしいプロジェクトの手順てじゅんを続つづけて説明せつめいしました。

Buchō wa atarashii purojekuto no tejun wo tsuzukete setsumei shimashita.

The department manager continued to explain the procedures for the new project.

相続税そうぞくぜいの計算けいさんには複雑ふくざつな手続てつづきが必要ひつようです。

Sōzokuzei no keisan ni wa fukuzatsu na tetsuzuki ga hitsuyō desu.

Calculating inheritance tax requires complex procedures.

Memory Tip

To remember the kanji 続, focus on its two main components. On the left, we have the 糸 (ito) radical, which means 'thread' or 'silk.' Threads are inherently continuous: they stretch out, connect things, and form an unbroken line. On the right is 売 (uru), which means 'to sell.' While its main role here is phonetic, you can create a memorable story: Imagine a shop that continuously (続) sells (売) threads (糸). The image of continuously selling thread effectively conveys the idea of 'continuing' or 'succession' – the thread just keeps on coming and being sold without interruption. This visual of an endless supply of thread being sold helps solidify the meaning of 'to continue' or 'to last.'