JLPT N3・N4 Grammar – Difference between “〜込む” and “〜続ける”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜込む” and “〜続ける”
2. 〜込む
3. 〜続ける
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “〜込む” and “〜続ける”?
A: “〜込む” expresses that an action goes deeply into something, while “〜続ける” expresses that an action continues without interruption.
〜込む (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Expresses that a certain state continues for a long time
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + 込む
[Examples]
先輩と仕事について話し込んでいたら、3時間も経っていました。
I was talking deeply with my senior about work, and before I knew it, three hours had passed.
将来のことを考え込んでいたら、いつの間にか夜になっていました。
I was thinking deeply about my future, and before I realized it, it was already night.
試験に落ちて、しばらく落ち込んでいました。
I failed the exam and felt down for a while.
“〜込む” has various uses, but in general, it expresses that an action goes deeply into something, becomes focused, or continues for a long time. Compared to a simple action, it carries additional nuances of depth, intensity, and persistence.
[Examples]
彼はそのうわさを本当のことだと信じ込んでいるようです。
He seems to be convinced that the rumor is true.
母は編み物に打ち込んでいます。
My mother is absorbed in knitting.
風邪をこじらせて、一週間も寝込んでしまいました。
I caught a bad cold and ended up bedridden for a whole week.
〜続ける (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
Expresses that an action or state continues for a long time
[Rule]
[V] Verb stem + 続ける
[Examples]
彼は何度失敗しても挑戦し続けています。
He keeps trying no matter how many times he fails.
彼は自分の夢を信じ続けてきました。
He has continued to believe in his dream.
彼女はさっきから泣き続けています。
She has been crying for a while now.
“〜続ける” expresses that an action or habit continues for a long time or over an extended period, or that an effect or state remains ongoing.
[Examples]
友達は夢についてずっと話し続けていました。
My friend kept talking about his dream for a long time.
⇒ This means that the friend continued the action of talking for a long period of time.
雨が三日間も降り続けています。
It has been raining for three days.
あの店は何十年も地域に愛され続けています。
That shop has been loved by the local community for decades.
Let’s Compare
“〜込む” and “〜続ける” may look similar at first glance, but their nuances are different. Let’s look at “話し込む” and “話し続ける” as examples. Both share the idea of “talking for a long time,” but the focus of meaning differs.
[Example]
① 今後の方針について話し込みました。
② 今後の方針について話し続けました。
① “話し込む” means “to talk seriously and deeply about something,” focusing on the depth and intensity of the content. As a result, it implies that the conversation naturally lasted a long time.
② “話し続ける” focuses on the continuity of the act of talking itself. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action rather than the depth of the content.
Based on this difference, which sentence sounds more natural?
[Example]
① 友達は楽しい思い出を話し込みました。
② 友達は楽しい思い出を話し続けました。
The correct answer is ②.
“話し込む” is used for serious or deep topics, so it doesn’t fit with a light subject like “fun memories.”
On the other hand, “〜続ける” can be used regardless of the topic and is suitable even for casual or cheerful conversations.
There is also a difference in the relationship between the speaker and the listener.
[Example]
① 誰も聞いていないのに、政治家は話し込んでいます。
② 誰も聞いていないのに、政治家は話し続けています。
The correct answer is ②.
“〜続ける” can be used even when the speaker is talking one-sidedly, while “〜込む” is used when both people are facing each other and having a mutual conversation.
[Example]
〇 子どもはよく分からないことを話し続けています。
× 子どもはよく分からないことを話し込んでいます。
The child keeps talking about things that don’t make much sense.
⇒ Since the child is speaking one-sidedly and the listener is not responding, “話し続けている” (keeps talking) is the more natural expression.
总结
[〜込む]
- It expresses an action that goes deeply into something and continues for a long time.
- Compared to a simple action, it carries a nuance of doing something “thoroughly,” “with focus,” or “deeply.”
[〜続ける]
- Expresses that an action, state, or habit continues for a long time or over a long period without interruption.
- The focus is on the continuity of the action itself.
[Difference in Focus]
- “〜込む” focuses on the depth and intensity of the action.
- “〜続ける” focuses on the length and duration of the action.
[Difference in Situation]
- “〜込む” is often used for actions done while engaging directly with another person (e.g., 話し込む – to talk deeply).
- “〜続ける” can be used for one-sided actions or actions that continue regardless of others (e.g., 話し続ける – to keep talking, 雨が降り続ける – it keeps raining).
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