The Chinese word 坚守 (jiānshǒu) is a compound formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing its core meaning to create a new, unified concept. The first character, 坚 (jiān), means "firm", "hard", or "steadfast", conveying a sense of solidity and unyielding strength. The second character, 守 (shǒu), means "to guard", "to defend", or "to keep". When combined in this common verb-modifier structure, where the first element describes the manner of the second, the compound literally means "to guard steadfastly" or "to defend firmly". Thus, 坚守 semantically represents the act of persisting resolutely, holding fast to a position, principle, or duty without wavering.