延续

• Pinyin: yán xù
• Hanzi breakdown: 延 = to extend; 续 = 纟 (thread radical, suggesting connection) + 卖, to continue or follow on

Meaning

To continue; to last; to carry on. Describes something persisting or going on over time.

Used for traditions, states of affairs, relationships, or conditions that persist across time. More literary and formal than 继续. Often found in written Chinese: 延续传统 (to carry on a tradition), 延续关系 (to continue a relationship), 雨季延续了两个月 (the rainy season lasted two months).

Examples

1. 这个传统已经延续了几百年，至今仍被人们重视。 This tradition has continued for hundreds of years and is still valued by people today.
2. 雨季延续了将近两个月，给农业带来了不小的影响。 The rainy season lasted for nearly two months, which had a significant impact on agriculture.
3. 双方都希望能延续这种良好的合作关系。 Both sides hope to continue this good cooperative relationship.

Usage Guide

Context: written, professional

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这一传统在当地延续至今。(This tradition has continued in the local area to this day.)
• 双方同意延续现有的合作协议。(Both sides agreed to continue the existing cooperation agreement.)

Don't Say

• 将'延续'用于主动发起的重新开始 (Don't use 延续 for actively restarting something — it describes uninterrupted continuation, not resumption after a break; use 恢复 for that)

Origin & History

A compound of 延 (to extend) and 续 (to continue, from 纟 thread radical + 卖). Together they describe the unbroken continuation of something over time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal