Meaning of 持续
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to continue; to last; to persist
How to use 持续
持续 describes a state or process that goes on without stopping, often over a period of time. It is common with weather, growth, pain, or trends, and often takes a time phrase after it. Example: 大雨持续了三天。(Dàyǔ chíxù le sān tiān.) The heavy rain lasted three days.
持 (chí) has the hand radical 扌, so picture a hand holding on to something. 续 (xù) has the silk radical 纟, like a thread that keeps going. Holding on while the thread keeps going means something lasts.
Common mistake: Learners often use 持续 where 继续 (jìxù) fits better. 继续 means a person goes on doing an action, as in 继续工作 (keep working). 持续 means a situation lasts by itself, as in 高温持续 (the heat continues).
持续 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
持 chí · to hold · 9 strokes
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续 xù · to continue · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 持续.
| 继续 | jìxù | to continue; to proceed with; to go on with |
| 保持 | bǎochí | to keep; to maintain |
| 支持 | zhīchí | to be in favor of; to support |
| 坚持 | jiānchí | to persevere with; to persist in |
| 连续 | liánxù | continuous; in a row |
| 主持 | zhǔchí | to take charge of; to manage or direct |
| 手续 | shǒuxù | procedure; formalities |
| 连续剧 | liánxùjù | TV series |
| 维持 | wéichí | to keep; to maintain; to preserve |
| 延续 | yánxù | to continue; to go on |
| 陆续 | lùxù | in turn; successively |
| 持有 | chíyǒu | to hold (passport, views etc) |
Questions about 持续
What does 持续 mean?
持续 (chíxù) means "to continue; to last; to persist" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 持续?
持续 is made of 2 characters: 持 (9 strokes), 续 (11 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 持续 an HSK word?
Yes. 持续 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 持续 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 持续 is written 持續.
What is the difference between 持续 and 连续?
持续 means something goes on without a break over time. 连续 (liánxù) means things happen one after another in a row, as in 连续三天下雨 (it rained three days in a row). 连续 often counts repeated events.
Can 持续 be used as an adjective?
Yes, it often appears before a noun or verb to describe something ongoing or sustained. Common examples are 持续发展 (chíxù fāzhǎn, sustainable development) and 持续增长 (chíxù zēngzhǎng, continued growth).