Comparison of '持续' and '继续'

In Chinese, both "持续" (chíxù) and "继续" (jìxù) relate to the idea of continuation or persistence, but they are used in different contexts and convey slightly different nuances.

持续 (chíxù)

"持续" is a verb that means "to last" or "to sustain." It describes the duration or continuity of an action, state, or process, often emphasizing its uninterrupted nature or prolonged duration.

• For example: 雨已经持续了两个小时。- The rain has lasted for two hours.
• For example: 他的努力使公司保持持续增长。- His efforts have kept the company growing steadily.

继续 (jìxù)

"继续" is a verb that means "to continue" or "to proceed." It indicates the continuation or resumption of an action, often implying a deliberate decision or intention to keep going.

• For example: 我们要继续前进。- We need to continue moving forward.
• For example: 请你继续讲下去。- Please continue with your story.

Key Differences

• Function: "持续" focuses on the duration or continuity of an action or state, emphasizing its uninterrupted nature, while "继续" emphasizes the decision or intention to continue an action.
• Context: "持续" is used more in the context of describing ongoing states or processes, while "继续" is used to indicate the deliberate continuation or resumption of an action.

Examples

Here are some example sentences illustrating the differences between "持续" and "继续":

• 持续 (chíxù):
  • The rain has lasted for two hours. - 雨已经持续了两个小时。(Yǔ yǐjīng chíxùle liǎng gè xiǎoshí.)
  • His efforts have kept the company growing steadily. - 他的努力使公司保持持续增长。(Tā de nǔlì shǐ gōngsī bǎochí chíxù zēngzhǎng.)
• 继续 (jìxù):
  • We need to continue moving forward. - 我们要继续前进。(Wǒmen yào jìxù qiánjìn.)
  • Please continue with your story. - 请你继续讲下去。(Qǐng nǐ jìxù jiǎng xià qù.)