'Jiānshǒu' is a compound verb meaning 'to hold fast' or 'to steadfastly uphold'—typically a position, principle, promise, duty, or belief. The first character 坚 (jiān) means 'firm', 'resolute', or 'unyielding'; the second, 守 (shǒu), means 'to guard', 'to keep', or 'to observe'. Together, they convey active, determined perseverance—not passive endurance, but conscious, principled commitment in the face of difficulty or temptation.

This word is commonly used in formal, literary, or inspirational contexts: describing moral integrity (e.g.,坚守信念), professional responsibility (e.g.,坚守岗位), or personal commitments (e.g.,坚守诺言). It often appears in speeches, news reports about public servants or activists, and motivational writing. Unlike more neutral verbs like 'keep' or 'follow', 坚守 carries strong connotations of courage, loyalty, and unwavering conviction.