verb / adjective HSK 5
Traditional 持續
to continue · to persist · to last · continuous · sustained
Meaning
持续 means to continue over a period of time or to remain in a certain state without interruption. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action or condition, often used to describe processes, states, or phenomena that extend through time.
Usage
持续 is commonly used in formal or written contexts to describe ongoing situations, trends, or actions. It frequently appears with time expressions to indicate duration. Native speakers use it for both physical phenomena (rain, heat) and abstract concepts (growth, development, attention). It's more formal than 继续 (jì xù).
Examples
- 01这场雨持续了三天三夜。.This rain lasted for three days and three nights.
- 02经济持续增长对国家发展很重要。.Sustained economic growth is very important for national development.
Characters
Common collocations
- 持续增长sustained growth
- 持续发展sustainable development
- 持续时间duration
- 持续改进continuous improvement
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 持 (to hold, maintain) and 续 (to continue), literally meaning 'to hold and continue,' conveying the sense of maintaining an ongoing state or action.