The Meaning of jizoku [持続] In Japanese

持続
じぞく
Romaji: jizoku N3

What does 持続 mean?

Translation and Meaning

persistence, continuity, duration, sustainability

Definition

持続 means the ongoing maintenance or continuation of something over time. It denotes a state of being kept up or carried forward with stability, rather than a temporary condition.

Type

noun (名詞); also the base for 持続する (to persist)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Continuation over time — jizoku
  • Durability or persistence in processes or situations — jizokusei
  • Sustainability or long-term viability in policies or systems — jizokukanousei
  • As a base noun for 持続する, meaning to persist or endure — jizoku suru

Etymology

持続 combines 持 (to hold) and 続 (to continue), yielding the sense of keeping something going over time. The common on-reading is じぞく (jizoku).

Composition

  • 持 — hold, possess, maintain
  • 続 — continue, endure
The combination expresses the idea of keeping something going over time.

Usage

Primarily used as a noun in formal and written Japanese; forms verbs and compounds such as 持続する and 持続性, and appears in academic, policy, and environmental discourse to discuss continuity, endurance, or long-term viability.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine gripping a rope labeled 持 and watching a long line labeled 続 stretch ahead; the act of holding it keeps the line going, so 持続 means to hold on and keep going.

Variations

  • 持続性 — jizokusei
  • 継続 — keizoku
  • 連続 — renzoku
  • 持続する — jizoku suru
  • 持続可能性 — jizokukanousei
  • Antonyms: 短命 — tannmei; 中断 — chuudan; 断絶 — danzetsu

Example Phrases

  • 毎日、運動の持続が健康を支える。
    Mainichi, undō no jizoku ga kenkō o sasaeru.
    The ongoing daily exercise sustains health.
    Lista:
    • 毎日 (Mainichi) – every day
    • 運動 (undō) – exercise
    • の (no) – of
    • 持続 (jizoku) – persistence/continuation
    • が (ga) – (subject marker)
    • 健康 (kenkō) – health
    • を (o) – (object marker)
    • 支える (sasaeru) – to sustain
    In this sentence, 「持続」 means persistence/continuation; it forms the noun phrase 「運動の持続」 meaning ‘the persistence of exercise’ and is the subject of 「支える」.
持続