About
The character 持, meaning to hold or maintain, derives from its structural composition of the hand radical 扌 combined with 寺, which historically functioned as a phonetic element. Its earliest meanings centered on physical grasping or carrying with the hand, as implied by the radical, but over centuries its usage expanded to encompass abstract senses of sustaining, upholding, or managing something, such as an idea or a situation. This semantic broadening reflects how the character adapted to convey both concrete and metaphorical forms of control or support, while its written form has remained consistent across historical periods.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请保持安静。
他支持我的决定。
我们必须保持健康。
她持有有效的护照。
会议持续了两个小时。
政府坚持改革政策。
在困难时期，他始终保持乐观。
为了可持续发展，我们需要保护环境。