持 Stroke Order — How to Write 持
持 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 扌, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
持 Radical and Character Components
持 is a phono-semantic compound: 扌 (hand) carries the meaning, while 寺 indicates the sound.
Radical: 扌 + 6 more strokes
持 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- chí
Meanings of 持 in Chinese
1
chí持
To hold, to grasp; to maintain or support.
她手持一束鲜花，微笑着走向舞台。
She held a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hand, smiling as she walked towards the stage.
To uphold, maintain, or persist in something, often implying consistency or perseverance. Used in phrases like 'to persist' (坚持), 'long-lasting' (持久), or 'to persevere' (持之以恒).
他持之以恒地学习，终于取得了成功。
He persevered in his studies and finally achieved success.
To hold, manage, maintain, advocate, or preside over, implying support for a viewpoint, management of affairs, or keeping a balance.
他的分析报告持之有故，说服了所有与会者。
His analysis report was well-reasoned and convinced all attendees.
To treat, to handle, or to conduct oneself in a certain way, often implying maintaining a state or attitude.
他为人谦逊，持身有道。
He is humble and conducts himself with integrity.
to support; to hold up
朋友之间应该互相支持。
Friends should support each other.
Common Words and Phrases with 持
1
to manage or run a household; to keep house
她是一个很会持家的女人，把家里打理得井井有条。
She is a woman who is very good at managing the household, keeping everything in perfect order.
2
To carry a 'mao jie' (旄节), an ancient credential staff with a yak's tail, used by imperial envoys.
古时，使者出使他国，常需持节以示身份。
In ancient times, envoys traveling to other countries often needed to hold a staff of authority to show their identity.
3
4
To present an argument or state one's views
他在学术研讨会上持论严谨，获得了与会者的一致认可。
He presented his arguments rigorously at the academic seminar and received unanimous approval from the attendees.
5
To be fair and impartial; to stay at the same level or be on par.
父母对待每个孩子都应该持平，不能偏心。
Parents should maintain impartiality towards each child, showing no favoritism.
6
carrying and using a firearm, often for criminal purposes; gun-toting.
警方正在调查那伙持枪抢劫银行的歹徒。
The police are investigating the armed robbers who robbed the bank.
7
To dwell on or expose others' weaknesses or faults, often to criticize them or gain an advantage.
他总是喜欢持人长短，这让周围的人都觉得和他相处起来很不自在。
He always likes to dwell on others' faults, which makes everyone around him feel uncomfortable interacting with him.
8
to exercise proper restraints; to conduct oneself well
他一生持身严谨，言行一致，深受人们的尊敬。
Throughout his life, he was meticulously self-disciplined in his conduct, ensuring his words always aligned with his actions, and thus earned deep respect from people.
9
Sustained, continued, or continuous without interruption.
这场雨持续了一整天。
The rain continued for an entire day.
10
To hold or possess.
办理这项业务需要持有有效身份证件。
To process this transaction, one needs to hold a valid identification document.
11
12
To have sufficient grounds or a solid basis for one's views or arguments.
他的研究报告深入浅出，每个论点都持之有故，让人读后茅塞顿开。
His research report is easy to understand yet profound; every argument is well-founded, making people enlightened after reading it.
13
Prudent and steady in one's actions; cautious and reliable.
这位经验丰富的建筑师在设计方案时总是持重，确保每个细节都经过深思熟虑。
This experienced architect is always prudent when designing plans, ensuring every detail is thoroughly considered.
More words with 持
- fú扶chí持to support; to help
- zhī支chí持to support, assist, or endorse
- bǎ把chí持control, dominate
- jié劫chí持hijack, kidnap
- jīn矜chí持Reserved, Restrained
- xié胁chí持take hostage, hold captive
- xié挟chí持hold hostage, abduct
- bǎo保chí持maintain, keep
- chēng撑chí持Support, Sustain
- jiā夹chí持clamping, grip
- jiān坚chí持persist, persevere
- wéi维chí持Maintain, Preserve
- zhǔ主chí持host, preside over
- bǐng秉chí持uphold, adhere to
- cāo操chí持manage, handle
- zhù住chí持abbot
- bào抱chí持to clasp, embrace, or hold fast
- hù护chí持Protect and support, Guard
- liào料chí持Material control, Material management
- zhēng争chí持Dispute, Contend
Idioms with 持
- bǎ把chí持bù不dìng定to be indecisive
- bǎ把chí持bù不zhù住unable to control oneself
- bàng蚌yù鹬xiāng相chí持disputing parties both lose, third party profits
- gè各chí持jǐ己jiàn见Each sticks to their own view
- jiān坚chí持bù不xiè懈persevere unremittingly
- jiān坚chí持bù不yú渝Persevere unswervingly
- kuàng旷rì日chí持jiǔ久long and drawn-out
- lǎo老chéng成chí持zhòng重experienced and prudent
- qín勤jiǎn俭chí持jiā家manage household with diligence and thrift
- tài太ē阿dào倒chí持give power to others, suffer harm
- xiāng相chí持bù不xià下at a stalemate
- yù鹬bàng蚌xiāng相chí持Standoff benefits a third party
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Open the tool →Questions about 持
What does 持 mean in Chinese?
持 (chí) means “To hold, to grasp” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 持?
持 is pronounced chí in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 持 have?
持 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 持?
持 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 扌. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 持?
The radical of 持 is 扌, and 持 is a phono-semantic compound.
