The word 坚持 is formed by combining two meaningful characters, each contributing a core idea to create a new, unified concept. The first character, 坚, carries the meaning of "firm", "solid", or "hard". The second, 持, means "to hold", "to grasp", or "to maintain". Their combination visually and conceptually fuses the notion of a firm, unyielding solidity with the active, sustained action of holding on, resulting in the comprehensive meaning of "to persevere" or "to insist", to hold onto something with firm resolve.