gin1 ci4堅持坚持
Jyutpinggin1 ci4
Yalegīn chìh
Definition
To persist, persevere, or stick to something without giving up or giving in.
neutraldaily actionspeople
How it's used
Focuses on the internal strength to maintain a stance or continue an action despite external pressure or difficulty. It often implies a sense of stubbornness or moral integrity when dealing with principles or goals. Unlike simply continuing an action, it carries a weight of determination that suggests the subject is actively resisting the urge to quit.
Examples
No matter how hard it is, he persists.
Related words
Common phrases
to persist to the end
to stick to one's principles
Common mistake
Learners often confuse it with 繼續, which simply means to continue or carry on. While 繼續 is neutral and can apply to any action, 堅持 implies effort, willpower, or a refusal to compromise.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
