How to use “Continuar” in Portuguese simple examples

Introduction

This article explains how to use the verb Continuar in Brazilian Portuguese for complete beginners. You will learn basic meanings, conjugations for simple tenses, common phrases, and practical examples for everyday conversations, signs, and simple messages.

What does Continuar mean?

The verb Continuar means to continue, to keep doing something, or to remain in a state. It is used the same way as English continue, keep on, or still. For beginners, think of continuar as a way to say that an action is not finished or that something remains the same.

Basic conjugation for beginners

Here are essential forms you will see often. These are presented in the simple present and the infinitive because beginners use these most in everyday situations.

Infinitive: continuar

Present (eu): continuo

Present (você/ele/ela): continua

Present (nós): continuamos

Present (vocês/eles/elas): continuam

How to use the present tense

Use the present to say someone continues to do something now or generally. It matches English uses like I continue, she continues, or they keep.

Eu continuo estudando português.
I continue studying Portuguese.

Ele continua trabalhando.
He keeps working.

Nós continuamos na fila.
We remain in the line.

Common beginner phrases with Continuar

These short phrases are useful in shops, on signs, in messages, and during basic conversations.

Continuar aqui – to continue here or stay here

Por favor, continue aqui.
Please stay here.

Continuar depois – to continue later

Podemos continuar depois?
Can we continue later?

Continuar trabalhando – to keep working

Ela vai continuar trabalhando hoje.
She will keep working today.

Imperative forms for polite requests

Use polite commands when asking someone to continue or to keep doing something. For você use the present subjunctive form and for tu use the imperative.

Continue, por favor.
Keep going, please. (to você)

Continua, amiga.
Keep going, friend. (to tu, informal)

Continuem com a fila.
Continue with the line. (to vocês)

Using Continuar with gerunds and infinitives

In Portuguese, like English, you often pair Continuar with a verb in the gerund (-ndo form) or with the infinitive. The gerund stresses an ongoing action; the infinitive sounds more general or habitual.

Continuar + gerund (ongoing action)

Eu continuo falando.
I continue speaking.

Ela continua estudando para a prova.
She keeps studying for the exam.

Continuar + infinitive (habit or general)

Ele quer continuar a trabalhar.
He wants to continue working.

Nós vamos continuar a aprender.
We will continue to learn.

Practical examples for daily situations

These examples show how learners might encounter or use Continuar in common contexts: restaurants, appointments, messages, and travel.

At a café: Posso continuar aqui?
Can I stay here?

At a doctor visit: O médico disse que posso continuar com o remédio.
The doctor said I can continue with the medicine.

On a bus or metro: O serviço vai continuar normalmente.
The service will continue normally.

On a form or sign: Para continuar, clique aqui.
To continue, click here.

In a message to a friend: Vamos continuar amanhã?
Shall we continue tomorrow?

Short conversation examples

Example 1 – At a language class

Aluno: Podemos continuar a lição?
Professor: Sim, continuamos agora.

Example 2 – In a store

Cliente: Posso continuar com a compra online?
Atendente: Sim, continue no site ou eu posso ajudar.

Common collocations and expressions

Learn these fixed expressions because they appear often and help you understand signs and messages.

Continuar em frente – to continue forward

Siga e continue em frente.
Go and continue straight ahead.

Continuar aberto – to remain open

O restaurante vai continuar aberto até mais tarde.
The restaurant will remain open until later.

Continuar na fila – to stay in line

Por favor, continuem na fila.
Please stay in line.

Beginner tips for remembering and using Continuar

Tip 1: Link to English continue. Continuar and continue are cognates, so pronunciation practice helps you recognize it in speech and text.

Tip 2: Practice the gerund. Make short sentences using continuar + -ndo to describe what is happening now: Eu continuo estudando, Ela continua esperando.

Tip 3: Use polite imperatives. Use continue for polite requests to people you address as você.

Tip 4: Watch for context. Continuar can mean stay (remain) or continue (do more). Example: Continue aqui (stay here) vs Continue estudando (keep studying).

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Forgetting agreement. New learners sometimes use the wrong verb form for the subject. Practice simple subject-verb pairs: Eu continuo, Você continua, Nós continuamos.

Mistake 2: Using infinitive instead of gerund. Saying Eu continuo estudar sounds unnatural. Use Eu continuo estudando or Eu continuo a estudar (less common in speech).

Mistake 3: Confusing continuar with acabar. These are opposites. Acabar means to finish. Example: O filme acabou (the movie ended) vs O filme continua (the movie continues).

Quick practice exercises

Exercise 1: Fill the blank with the correct form of Continuar

Eu _____ estudando todos os dias. (Answer: continuo)

Exercise 2: Choose gerund or infinitive

Ela quer _____ (estudar). (Answer: continuar a estudar or continuar estudando)

Exercise 3: Convert to polite request

Você para, por favor? -> _____, por favor. (Answer: Continue)

Useful vocabulary related to Continuar

seguir – to follow or to continue in a direction

terminar – to finish

parar – to stop

voltar – to return

prosseguir – to proceed, another formal synonym for continue

Resources for further practice

Work with short dialogues, simple audio clips, and language apps that let you hear native Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on sentences with Continuar in context: announcements, instructions, and daily conversations.

Conclusion

Now you know the basic meaning, common conjugations, and simple everyday uses of Continuar in Brazilian Portuguese. Practice short sentences with the present, gerund forms, and polite imperatives to gain confidence. Use the sample phrases from this article when you see signs, read messages, or speak with friends and service staff.