陆续 vs 连续 vs 继续: one after another, uninterrupted, or resumed
All three words contain 续 (xù) and describe actions over time, but they differ in whether the action has gaps (陆续), no gaps (连续), or is being resumed after an interruption (继续). 陆续 means 'successively' with intervals, like people arriving one after another. 连续 means 'continuously' without breaks, like working for three days straight. 继续 means 'to continue' an action from where it left off, often after a pause.
The three words 陆续 (lùxù), 连续 (liánxù), and 继续 (jìxù) all share the character 续 (xù 'continue'), but they describe different temporal patterns. 陆续 emphasizes that multiple events or actions happen one after another with noticeable intervals or gaps — like guests arriving in waves. 连续 stresses that an action or state persists without any interruption — like running a marathon without stopping. 继续, on the other hand, is used when an action that has been temporarily stopped is resumed or maintained — like continuing a conversation after a phone call. Understanding whether there are gaps (陆续), no gaps (连续), or a resumption (继续) is key to choosing the correct term.
When to use each
Use 陆续 when multiple actions or events occur in succession, each separated by a pause or interval. It often describes people arriving, things happening, or processes unfolding in a staggered fashion. The intervals may be irregular. 陆续 is typically used as an adverb before the verb.
陆续 can also imply that the actions are part of a single process but happen at different times, like assignments being submitted gradually.
Use 连续 when an action or state continues without any interruption or gap. It is often combined with time expressions (e.g., 连续三天 'three consecutive days') or repeated actions that form an uninterrupted sequence. 连续 can be an adverb or an adjective (continuous).
连续 stresses the absence of breaks; it can also be used for things in a sequence that are physically unbroken, like continuous lines.
Use 继续 to express that an action or process that has been started and then stopped (or paused) is carried on further. It can be used as a verb (continue something) or as an adverb (continue doing something). 继续 implies that the action resumes from where it left off, not necessarily with a new start.
继续 can also be used when an action continues without an explicit pause, but the emphasis is on the ongoing nature of an already-initiated action. In such cases, it overlaps with 连续, but 连续 is preferred for uninterrupted duration.
At a glance
| 陆续 | 连续 | 继续 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature of action | Successive with intervals | Uninterrupted/no gaps | Resumed after a pause |
| Typical usage | Adverb before verb: 陆续到达 | Adverb or adjective: 连续工作 | Verb or adverb: 继续工作 |
| Common time expressions | No fixed time measures (gradual) | N + 连续 + time (连续五天) | Often no explicit time (just resumption) |
| Can be used for singular action? | No, needs multiple occurrences | Yes, can be one long action | Yes, can be one resumed action |
| Negation | 没陆续 (rare) | 没连续 | 没继续 (common) |
Examples
- 陆续同学们陆续走进了教室。Tóngxuémen lùxù zǒu jìn le jiàoshì.The students walked into the classroom one after another.Describes multiple students entering at different times with gaps.
- 连续他连续工作了十二个小时。Tā liánxù gōngzuò le shí'èr gè xiǎoshí.He worked for twelve hours straight (continuously).Emphasizes no break during the 12 hours.
- 继续休息了十分钟后，我们继续开会。Xiūxi le shí fēnzhōng hòu, wǒmen jìxù kāihuì.After a ten-minute break, we continued the meeting.Action (meeting) is resumed after an interruption.
- 陆续春天的花陆续开放。Chūntiān de huā lùxù kāifàng.Spring flowers bloom one after another (with intervals).Not all at once; different flowers open at different times.
- 连续他只连续看了两个小时电视。Tā zhǐ liánxù kàn le liǎng gè xiǎoshí diànshì.He only watched TV for two hours straight.No interruption during those two hours.
- 继续尽管累了，他还是继续跑步。Jǐnguǎn lèi le, tā háishì jìxù pǎobù.Even though he was tired, he continued running.He had been running, paused to rest? The sentence implies he kept going without a full stop; if no break, 连续 would be more precise.
Common mistakes
- Using 连续 when describing people arriving in groups over time (e.g., '客人陆续到来' should not be '连续到来', because 连续 implies no gaps).
- Using 继续 to mean 'uninterrupted' (e.g., '他继续工作了十个小时' — if there was no break, use 连续, not 继续, because 继续 suggests resumption after a pause).
- Using 陆续 for a single continuous action (e.g., '我陆续看了三个小时书' is incorrect; 连续 is needed).
- Confusing the verbs: 继续 can be a standalone verb (继续工作), but 陆续 and 连续 are typically adverbs and cannot be used as main verbs without a following verb ('我们要陆续' is wrong).
FAQ
- When do I use 陆续 vs 连续 vs 继续?
- Use 陆续 when things happen one after another with gaps (e.g., people arriving in waves). Use 连续 when an action or sequence happens without any break (e.g., working for five days straight). Use 继续 when an action that was started is continued after a pause (e.g., resuming a conversation after lunch).
- Can 继续 mean 'to keep doing something' without a pause?
- Yes, 继续 can be used even without an explicit pause, especially when the action is part of an ongoing process. Examples: 继续努力 (continue to work hard). However, if you want to stress that the action has been going on for a long time without any interruption, 连续 or 一直 are more accurate.
- Do 陆续 and 连续 require a time period?
- No. 陆续 does not need a specific time, just multiple occurrences with intervals. 连续 often pairs with a time period to emphasize duration (e.g., 连续三天), but can also appear without it (e.g., 连续说话 'talk continuously'). 继续 does not require a time phrase.
- Can 陆续 be used for a single time?
- No, 陆续 always implies multiple occurrences happening at different times. For a single event with intervals, you would use a different expression (e.g., 断断续续 'on and off').