坚持 (jiānchí) is a verb meaning 'to persist' or 'to insist on something despite difficulty.' It combines 坚 (jiān), meaning 'firm' or 'resolute,' and 持 (chí), meaning 'to hold' or 'to maintain.' Together, they convey the idea of holding firmly to a course of action, belief, or habit over time. It emphasizes continuity and determination, often in the face of obstacles or temptation to give up.

This word is commonly used in contexts like studying, exercising, moral principles, or long-term goals — for example, '坚持学习汉语' (persist in studying Chinese) or '坚持正义' (uphold justice). It usually takes a noun, verb phrase, or clause as its object, often introduced by the particle '在' (in doing something) or followed directly by a verb (e.g., 坚持锻炼). It carries a positive, commendable connotation and appears frequently in motivational speech, education, and self-improvement discourse.