持续 (chí xù) is a verb meaning 'to continue' or 'to last' — emphasizing uninterrupted, ongoing action or state over time. The first character 持 means 'to hold' or 'to maintain', and the second 续 means 'to follow' or 'to extend'; together, they convey the idea of holding something steadily without break, like maintaining momentum or sustaining a condition. It’s commonly used in formal writing, news reports, weather forecasts, health advisories, and academic contexts — for example, to describe prolonged rain, an ongoing project, or persistent symptoms.

Unlike the more casual verb 继续 (jì xù), which often implies resuming after a pause, 持续 stresses continuity *without interruption*. It frequently appears with time phrases like '持续三天' (for three days straight) or adverbs like '持续不断地' (continuously, without stopping). While it can function as a verb on its own, it’s also common as a predicate adjective (e.g., '气温持续升高') or in compound nouns like '持续性' (continuity).