Chinese word

持

Pronunciation

Pinyinchí

Meaning

  • verbcarry

Example

进门要持票。jìn mén yào chí piào

You need to carry a ticket to enter.

Illustration for 持 (carry)

More examples

警方加强巡逻以维持社会秩序。jǐng fāng jiā qiáng xún luó yǐ wéi chí shè huì zhì xù

The police have increased patrols to maintain social order.

Core concept

A firm hold lets something stay with the holder or stay unchanged.

Common phrases

  • 维持秩序wéi chí zhì xù

    maintain order

  • 保持稳定bǎo chí wěn dìng

    maintain stability

  • 手持手机shǒu chí shǒu jī

    hold a mobile phone

Similar words

拿ná: Grasp and hold an object with the hand.
带dài: Carry an item while moving from one place to another.
保持bǎo chí: Keep a state, attitude, or arrangement unchanged over time.
拥有yōng yǒu: Own an item or possess a right.

Definition in Chinese

用手抓住某物并保持不放，或指维持某种状态、观点或权利。yòng shǒu zhuā zhù mǒu wù bìng bǎo chí bú fàng huò zhǐ wéi chí móu zhǒng zhuàng tài guān diǎn huò quán lì

Word origin

持 (chí, "to hold") combines 扌 (shǒu, "hand") + 寺 (sì, "temple"), where the hand component points to holding and the other component serves mainly as a phonetic element.

Usage tips

  • The verb is useful for recognizing formal compounds and notices, but a more specific everyday verb is often preferred for a simple physical action in conversation.

Other meanings

  • keepverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word