持久力 (chí jiǔ lì)

noun HSK 5

chí jiǔ lì

stamina · endurance · staying power · persistence

Meaning

This word refers to the ability to maintain effort, strength, or effectiveness over an extended period of time. It combines the concepts of '持久' (lasting/enduring) with '力' (power/strength), describing both physical stamina in sports and mental perseverance in tasks requiring sustained effort.

Usage

Commonly used in contexts involving sports, fitness, work performance, and relationships. Can describe both physical endurance (like in running or swimming) and mental persistence (like concentration or willpower). Often appears in discussions about training, health, and personal development.

Examples

01
长跑运动员需要很强的持久力。
Cháng pǎo yùn dòng yuán xū yào hěn qiáng de chí jiǔ lì.
Long-distance runners need very strong stamina.
02
这个项目需要团队的持久力和耐心。
Zhège xiàng mù xū yào tuán duì de chí jiǔ lì hé nài xīn.
This project requires the team's persistence and patience.

Characters

Common collocations

增强持久力
zēng qiáng chí jiǔ lì
to increase stamina
缺乏持久力
quē fá chí jiǔ lì
to lack endurance
提高持久力
tí gāo chí jiǔ lì
to improve stamina
持久力训练
chí jiǔ lì xùn liàn
endurance training

Origin

Formed by combining 持久 (enduring/lasting) with 力 (strength/power), literally meaning 'the power to last long.' This construction follows a common Chinese pattern of adding 力 to adjectives or verbs to create nouns describing abilities or capacities.