====== jìxù: 继续 - to continue, to go on, to proceed ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** jìxù, 继续, continue in Chinese, how to say go on in Chinese, proceed Chinese, Chinese verb for continue, jìxù meaning, jìxù usage, HSK 3 vocabulary, resume action Chinese. * **Summary:** Learn how to use "jìxù" (继续), the essential Chinese verb for "to continue," "to go on," or "to proceed." This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences. Whether you're telling someone to keep talking, resuming work after a break, or encouraging a friend to keep trying, "jìxù" is a fundamental and straightforward word every beginner must master. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jìxù * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** To continue an action or state, typically after an interruption or pause. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of "jìxù" as pressing the "play" button after hitting "pause." It’s about resuming something that was already in progress. If you were working, took a coffee break, and then went back to work, that act of returning to your task is "jìxù". It’s a very direct and functional word, essential for managing the flow of actions and conversations. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **继 (jì):** This character means "to continue" or "to follow." The radical on the left, **纟(sī)**, means "silk" or "thread." It visually suggests connecting a thread, symbolizing continuity and succession. * **续 (xù):** This character also means "to continue" or "to add on." It shares the same **纟(sī)** radical, again emphasizing the idea of a continuous thread. The right side gives the character its sound. * When combined, **继续 (jìxù)** is a powerful and clear concept. The repetition of the "silk thread" radical doubles down on the meaning of "connection" and "unbrokenness." It literally feels like "connecting the thread and then adding more thread," creating a very strong sense of ongoing action. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * While "jìxù" is a simple verb, it often taps into the important Chinese cultural value of **perseverance (坚持 - jiānchí)**. Phrases like **"继续努力 (jìxù nǔlì)"** (continue to work hard) and **"继续加油 (jìxù jiāyóu)"** (keep going / keep up the effort) are incredibly common forms of encouragement. They reflect a cultural mindset that values diligence, resilience, and seeing a task through to the end. * **Comparison to Western Concepts:** In English, we might say "carry on" or "keep at it." These phrases are very similar, but the cultural background can be different. When a Chinese teacher or parent says "继续努力," it often carries an implicit expectation of sustained effort as a key to success and a reflection of good character. It's less of a casual "keep it up" and more of a sincere directive to maintain one's path of hard work and self-improvement. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * "Jìxù" is a high-frequency word used in virtually all aspects of modern life. It's neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal situations. * **In Conversation:** Used to prompt someone to continue speaking after an interruption. For example, if your phone rings while a friend is telling a story, you might say, "你继续说 (Nǐ jìxù shuō)" - "Please, go on." * **At Work or School:** It's used to indicate the resumption of an activity. A manager might say, "我们休息十分钟,然后继续开会 (Wǒmen xiūxi shí fēnzhōng, ránhòu jìxù kāihuì)" - "We'll take a ten-minute break, then continue the meeting." * **As Encouragement:** As mentioned above, "继续加油! (Jìxù jiāyóu!)" is a staple phrase used to cheer on friends, colleagues, or athletes. * **Describing an Ongoing State:** It can describe a continuous, uninterrupted state, especially in narrative. For example, "雨继续下了一整夜 (Yǔ jìxù xiàle yī zhěng yè)" - "The rain continued to fall for the whole night." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 对不起,打断你了。你**继续**说吧。 * Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, dǎduàn nǐ le. Nǐ **jìxù** shuō ba. * English: Sorry for interrupting you. Please continue talking. * Analysis: A classic and polite way to ask someone to resume speaking after you've interjected. * **Example 2:** * 他吃完午饭后,**继续**回去工作了。 * Pinyin: Tā chī wán wǔfàn hòu, **jìxù** huíqù gōngzuò le. * English: After he finished lunch, he went back to continue working. * Analysis: This shows a clear sequence: an action (eating) is finished, and a previous action (working) is resumed. * **Example 3:** * 如果你**继续**保持这个好习惯,你的中文会进步很快。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ **jìxù** bǎochí zhège hǎo xíguàn, nǐ de Zhōngwén huì jìnbù hěn kuài. * English: If you continue to maintain this good habit, your Chinese will improve very quickly. * Analysis: "Jìxù" here means to maintain or carry on a state or habit over time. * **Example 4:** * 虽然遇到了很多困难,但我们必须**继续**前进。 * Pinyin: Suīrán yùdào le hěn duō kùnnan, dàn wǒmen bìxū **jìxù** qiánjìn. * English: Although we have encountered many difficulties, we must continue to move forward. * Analysis: This example highlights the connection between "jìxù" and perseverance. * **Example 5:** * 明天我们将**继续**讨论这个问题。 * Pinyin: Míngtiān wǒmen jiāng **jìxù** tǎolùn zhège wèntí. * English: Tomorrow we will continue to discuss this issue. * Analysis: Used in a formal or planning context to indicate that an unfinished task will be resumed later. * **Example 6:** * 雨**继续**下着,一点停的意思都没有。 * Pinyin: Yǔ **jìxù** xià zhe, yīdiǎn tíng de yìsi dōu méiyǒu. * English: The rain is continuing to fall, with no sign of stopping at all. * Analysis: The particle "着 (zhe)" can be used with "jìxù" to emphasize the continuous, ongoing nature of the action. * **Example 7:** * A: 我可以走了吗? (Wǒ kěyǐ zǒu le ma?) - Can I leave? * B: 不行,你**继续**写作业。 (Bùxíng, nǐ **jìxù** xiě zuòyè.) - No, you continue doing your homework. * Analysis: A simple, direct command to continue an activity. * **Example 8:** * 这部电视剧太好看了,我想**继续**看下一集。 * Pinyin: Zhè bù diànshìjù tài hǎokàn le, wǒ xiǎng **jìxù** kàn xià yī jí. * English: This TV series is so good, I want to continue watching the next episode. * Analysis: A common usage for hobbies and entertainment. * **Example 9:** * 我们沿着这条路**继续**走,大概十分钟就到了。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen yánzhe zhè tiáo lù **jìxù** zǒu, dàgài shí fēnzhōng jiù dào le. * English: Let's continue walking along this road, and we'll arrive in about ten minutes. * Analysis: Used for giving directions and describing a physical journey. * **Example 10:** * 他没有理会别人的嘲笑,**继续**做自己的实验。 * Pinyin: Tā méiyǒu lǐhuì biérén de cháoxiào, **jìxù** zuò zìjǐ de shíyàn. * English: He ignored the ridicule of others and continued to do his experiment. * Analysis: Shows continuing an action in defiance of external circumstances. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **继续 (jìxù) vs. 还 (hái):** This is a crucial distinction. **还 (hái)** means "still" and describes an **uninterrupted** state. **继续 (jìxù)** implies **resuming** an action, often after a pause. * Correct: 我 **还** 在工作。(Wǒ hái zài gōngzuò.) - I am *still* working. (I never stopped.) * Correct: 我休息了一会儿,现在 **继续** 工作。(Wǒ xiūxi le yīhuìr, xiànzài jìxù gōngzuò.) - I rested for a bit, now I'm *continuing* to work. (I stopped and restarted.) * Mistake: Saying "我继续在工作" when you mean you never stopped is unnatural. Use "还" instead. * **继续 (jìxù) vs. 再 (zài):** **再 (zài)** means "again" and is used for repeating a **completed** action. **继续 (jìxù)** is for carrying on with an **in-progress** or **incomplete** action. * Correct: 这个包子很好吃,我想 **再** 吃一个。(Zhège bāozi hěn hǎochī, wǒ xiǎng zài chī yīge.) - This bun is delicious, I want to eat another one (*again*). The first bun is finished. * Correct: 别打扰我,让我 **继续** 吃完这个包子。(Bié dǎrǎo wǒ, ràng wǒ jìxù chī wán zhège bāozi.) - Don't bother me, let me *continue* to finish this bun. The action of eating the one bun is not yet complete. * Mistake: Saying "让我再吃完这个包子" would be confusing, as it implies starting to eat the same bun all over again. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * `* [[坚持]] (jiānchí)` - To persevere, to insist on. While "jìxù" is the neutral act of continuing, "jiānchí" implies willpower, determination, and overcoming difficulty. * `* [[不断]] (búduàn)` - Unceasingly, continuously (adverb). Describes an action that happens repeatedly or without interruption, like "the phone was constantly ringing." * `* [[接着]] (jiēzhe)` - To follow, to carry on. Often implies a sequence of *different* but connected actions. "I finished my homework, and *then* (接着) I watched TV." "Jìxù" usually refers to resuming the *same* action. * `* [[暂停]] (zàntíng)` - To pause, to suspend. The direct antonym. You `暂停` (pause) a game, and then you `继续` (continue) it. * `* [[还]] (hái)` - Still, yet. An adverb used to describe a state that has not changed and is ongoing without interruption. * `* [[再]] (zài)` - Again, once more. An adverb indicating the repetition of a completed action. * `* [[努力]] (nǔlì)` - To strive, to make a great effort. A verb that is frequently paired with "jìxù" to mean "continue to work hard."