持续

• Pinyin: chí xù
• Hanzi breakdown: 持 = 扌(hand) + 寺 (temple, phonetic), meaning to hold or maintain; 续 = 纟(silk) + 卖 (sell, phonetic), meaning to continue or connect

Meaning

To continue; to sustain; to last. Describes something that keeps going without interruption.

Used for situations, conditions, or actions that persist over a period of time. Common in phrases like 持续发展 (sustainable development), 持续增长 (sustained growth), and 持续时间 (duration). Slightly more formal than 继续 (to continue).

Examples

1. 这场雨已经持续了三天了。 This rain has been going on for three days now.
2. 经济持续增长是每个国家的目标。 Sustained economic growth is every country's goal.
3. 他持续努力学习，成绩越来越好。 He has been studying continuously and his grades keep getting better.

Usage Guide

Context: news, economics, weather

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 高温天气将持续到下周。(The hot weather will continue until next week.)
• 我们要持续关注这个问题。(We need to continue paying attention to this issue.)

Don't Say

• 持续吃饭 (Don't use 持续 for ordinary momentary actions like eating — say 继续吃饭; 持续 implies an ongoing state or trend)

Origin & History

Compound of 持 (to hold, to maintain) and 续 (to continue, to connect), together meaning to maintain something over time without stopping.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal