When expressing the idea of “to continue” in German, two common verbs are fortsetzen and weitergehen. Both can be translated as “to continue” in English, but they are used in different contexts and have different nuances.
- fortsetzen means “to continue” something that was interrupted or paused. It is a more formal verb and is often used with activities, tasks, or processes. It requires an object (the thing being continued).
- weitergehen means “to go on” or “to continue” and is often used for movement, events, or situations progressing. It can be used without an object and literally means “to go further.”
Let's look more closely at each verb.
Fortsetzen
The verb fortsetzen is used when you want to continue something that has been paused, interrupted, or temporarily stopped. It is often used in formal or written contexts and always takes a direct object—the thing that is being continued.
- Example: Wir setzen die Besprechung um 15 Uhr fort. (We will continue the meeting at 3 p.m.)
- You can use fortsetzen with a wide range of activities: meetings, work, studies, conversations, etc.
- You can add sich to make it reflexive (sich fortsetzen), meaning that something “continues itself,” often used in more abstract or descriptive contexts.
Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | setze fort | Ich setze die Arbeit fort. | I continue the work. |
| du | setzt fort | Du setzt das Projekt fort. | You continue the project. |
| er/sie/es | setzt fort | Sie setzt das Gespräch fort. | She continues the conversation. |
| wir | setzen fort | Wir setzen die Sitzung fort. | We continue the meeting. |
| ihr | setzt fort | Ihr setzt die Aufgabe fort. | You (pl.) continue the task. |
| sie/Sie | setzen fort | Sie setzen die Übung fort. | They/You continue the exercise. |
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wir setzen das Projekt morgen fort. | We will continue the project tomorrow. |
| Kannst du die Geschichte fortsetzen? | Can you continue the story? |
| Die Verhandlungen werden nächste Woche fortgesetzt. | The negotiations will be continued next week. |
Weitergehen
The verb weitergehen literally means “to go further” or “to go on.” It is often used to describe movement, progress, or situations that continue or carry on. It can be used in both literal and figurative senses and does not require a direct object.
- Example (literal): Wir gehen nach dem Essen weiter. (We will continue walking after dinner.)
- Example (figurative): Der Unterricht geht um 10 Uhr weiter. (The class continues at 10 a.m.)
- It can also be used in idiomatic expressions: Die Arbeit geht weiter. (The work goes on.)
Conjugation
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | gehe weiter | Ich gehe weiter. | I continue/walk on. |
| du | gehst weiter | Du gehst weiter. | You continue/go on. |
| er/sie/es | geht weiter | Der Film geht weiter. | The movie continues. |
| wir | gehen weiter | Wir gehen weiter. | We continue/go on. |
| ihr | geht weiter | Ihr geht weiter. | You (pl.) go on. |
| sie/Sie | gehen weiter | Sie gehen weiter. | They/You go on. |
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Gehen wir weiter? | Shall we continue/walk on? |
| Die Diskussion geht nach der Pause weiter. | The discussion continues after the break. |
| Es geht weiter, egal was passiert. | It goes on, no matter what happens. |
What is a key characteristic of how weitergehen is used?
It is often used without a direct object, describing movement or situations continuing.
Weitergehen is typically used without a direct object, describing something that continues on its own, whether it's movement, an event, or a situation.
What does the sentence 'Es geht weiter, egal was passiert.' mean?
It goes on, no matter what happens.
'Es geht weiter, egal was passiert.' means 'It goes on, no matter what happens.' Weitergehen implies ongoing progress despite circumstances.
Key Differences
| Feature | Fortsetzen | Weitergehen |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To continue (something paused or interrupted) | To go on/continue (movement, events, situations) |
| Object | Requires a direct object (something is continued) | Usually no object (the subject itself continues) |
| Usage | More formal, used for tasks, activities, processes | More general, used for movement, events, situations |
| Reflexive Form | sich fortsetzen (to continue itself) | - |
| Example | Wir setzen die Arbeit fort. (We continue the work.) | Die Arbeit geht weiter. (The work goes on.) |
Conclusion
- Use fortsetzen when you want to continue or resume a specific activity, task, or process that was interrupted. It is more formal and always takes a direct object.
- Use weitergehen when talking about movement, events, or situations that continue or carry on by themselves. It is more neutral and often used without a direct object.
Here's a quick tip: If you can answer the question “What exactly is being continued?” use fortsetzen. If you're talking about something that simply “goes on” or “continues” without specifying a direct object, weitergehen is more likely correct.
Flashcards (1 of 18)
- Pronoun: ich
- Conjugation: setze fort
- Example (English): I continue the work.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
