persist
Definitions
To continue firmly despite difficulty or opposition
坚持不懈
To continue to exist or last
持续存在
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedper- (through, thoroughly) + sist (a reduplicated form of stāre, 'to stand') = 'to keep standing all the way through.' Whether it's a person who persists in their effort or a problem that persists for years, the image is the same: standing firm, refusing to fall, lasting through.
Root st still carries 376 more wordsWhy It Means This
The -sist- in persist, resist, insist, consist and exist is a special doubled form of stāre. Latin reduplicated the s (si-st-) to mean 'cause to stand' — that's why this whole family is about taking a stand: standing through (persist), against (resist), on (insist), or out (exist).
Common Collocations
- 1.persist in坚持做
- 2.persist with坚持
- 3.persist despite不顾……而坚持
- 4.problems persist问题持续存在
Example Sentences
- 1.
If you persist in asking, they may eventually agree.
- 2.
The symptoms persisted for several weeks.
- 3.
She persisted despite repeated failures.