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March 24, 2026
坚持(堅持)jiānchí(jian1chi2)
坚持 (jiānchí) means to persevere, persist, or insist on something despite challenges. It is commonly used in contexts where determination and resilience are required, such as studying hard for exams or maintaining a commitment to a goal.
Frequency#870DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, persistence is highly valued, often reflected in proverbs and teachings that emphasize hard work and steadfastness as keys to success.
Memory Tip
Think of 坚 (jiān) as a 'strong' mountain and 持 (chí) as 'holding' onto it. Imagine holding onto a mountain in a storm, representing your unwavering determination and persistence.
Meanings of 坚持
jiānchí(jian1chi2)
1to persevere with
2to persist in
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About 坚持
坚持Simplified
堅持Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#870Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 坚持
Podcast: 坚持
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AI Study Notes for 坚持
Quick Contrast
坚持 (jiānchí) vs 维持 (wéichí) — use 坚持 when emphasizing perseverance or determination, while 维持 focuses on maintaining a state or condition.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 坚 (jiān) as a 'strong' mountain and 持 (chí) as 'holding' onto it. Imagine holding onto a mountain in a storm, representing your unwavering determination and persistence.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 坚持, as it may be perceived as either positive or stubborn depending on tone and context. Common collocations include 坚持学习 (persist in studying) and 坚持原则 (insist on principles).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 4 word, 坚持 connects well with other verbs expressing action and determination at this level. Students should focus on using it in sentences to convey personal goals and commitments.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, persistence is highly valued, often reflected in proverbs and teachings that emphasize hard work and steadfastness as keys to success.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 坚持 with other similar verbs like 继续 (jìxù), which means 'to continue.' For example, saying '我继续坚守' is incorrect; instead, use '我坚持我的信念' (I insist on my beliefs).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 坚持
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Grammar Patterns of 坚持
坚持 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
qián dé lā jué xīn zuò yī míng yī shēng， ， tā de jiān chí bù xiè dé dào le huí。
Chandra was determined to become a doctor and her persistence paid off.
3
我认为他坚持到底非常勇敢。
wǒ rèn wéi tā jiān chí dào dǐ fēi cháng yǒng gǎn。
I think it was very brave of him to tough it out.
4
他坚持让我们在亚特兰大市外不远的一家小餐馆歇歇脚。
tā jiān chí ràng wǒ mén zài yà tè lán dà shì wài bù yuǎn de yī jiā xiǎo cān guǎn xiē xiē jiǎo。
He insisted we stop at a small restaurant just outside of Atlanta.
5
尽管有病在身，他仍顽强地坚持工作。
jìn guǎn yǒu bìng zài shēn， ， tā réng wán qiáng dì jiān chí gōng。
In spite of his illness, he clung tenaciously to his job.
6
他们坚持要比淡而无味的英国货味道更好的巧克力。
tā mén jiān chí yào bǐ dàn ér wú wèi de yīng guó huò wèi dào gēng hǎo de qiǎo kè lì。
They insist on tastier chocolate than the anaemic British stuff.
7
他那优越的资产阶级家庭坚持让他接受良好的教育。
tā nà yōu yuè de zī chǎn jiē jí jiā tíng jiān chí ràng tā jiē shòu liáng hǎo de jiào yù。
His privileged bourgeois family insisted on a good education.
8
他有时也会大胆坚持不受欢迎、但却有原则性的立场。
tā yǒu shí yě huì dà dǎn jiān chí bù shòu huān yíng、 、 dàn què yǒu yuán zé xìng de lì。
He has also dared to take unpopular, but principled stands at times.
9
坚持下去，你永远都无法预料会有什么样的收获。
jiān chí xià qù， ， nǐ yǒng yuǎn dū wú fǎ yù liào huì yǒu shí mó yàng de shōu。
Hang in there and you never know what you might achieve.
10
坚持你的原则，就会胜利。
jiān chí nǐ de yuán zé， ， jiù huì shèng。
Stick to your principles, and you will win through.
Cultural Notes for 坚持
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, persistence is highly valued, often reflected in proverbs and teachings that emphasize hard work and steadfastness as keys to success.
Frequently Asked Questions about 坚持
You can say '我坚持每天锻炼' (I persist in exercising every day).
It can be used in both contexts, but make sure to adjust your tone to fit the situation.
Yes, it can imply stubbornness if used in the wrong context, such as insisting on an incorrect idea.
