The verbs indicating the duration of an action
The verbs 持续, 继续 and 延续 indicate that an action lasts for a certain period of time.
The verb 持续
The verb 持续 
emphasizes that an action continues uninterrupted and without pauses.
A word that refers to this action or indicates the time of its completion is placed after 持续.
emphasizes that an action continues uninterrupted and without pauses.
A word that refers to this action or indicates the time of its completion is placed after 持续.Examples
这场大雨持续下了五天
The rain lasted for five days
zhè cháng dàyǔ chíxù xià le wǔ tiān
死亡人数持续增加
The death toll continues to rise
sǐwáng rénshù chíxù zēngjiā
会谈预料将持续到明天
Negotiations are expected to last until tomorrow
huìtán yùliào jiāng chíxù dào míngtiān
These are collocations often used with 持续:
持续下降
持续发展
持续作用
持续改变
持续发展
持续作用
持续改变 The verb 延续
The verb 延续 also emphasizes that an action continues uninterrupted.
But we often use it with words denoting an abstract concept. For example: dreams, life, traditions.
also emphasizes that an action continues uninterrupted.
But we often use it with words denoting an abstract concept. For example: dreams, life, traditions.Examples
中国的历史延续了五千年
The history of China goes back five thousand years
zhōngguó de lìshǐ yánxù le wǔqiān nián
地球上的生命将无法延续，除非人口增长得到控制
Life on Earth will not continue unless population growth is brought under control
dìqiú shàng de shēngmìng jiāng wúfǎ yánxù, chúfēi rénkǒu zēngzhǎng dédào kòngzhì
这是一个将要延续多年的糟糕困境
It is a predicament that will drag on for years
zhè shì yí ge jiāngyào yánxù duōnián de zāogāo kùnjìng
延续 is often used in such collocations:
历史延续
传统延续
生命延续
希望延续
传统延续
生命延续
希望延续 As a noun
延续 can be a noun meaning “continuation”.
Examples
本章是第8章的延续
This chapter is a continuation of chapter eight
běn zhāng shì dì bā zhāng de yánxù
这门课程是初级课程的延续
This course is a continuation of the beginner’s course
zhè mén kèchéng shì chūjí kèchéng de yánxù
The verb 继续
The verb 继续 emphasizes that a person performed an action, then took a break, and then he continued doing it again.
A verb is placed after 继续.
emphasizes that a person performed an action, then took a break, and then he continued doing it again.
A verb is placed after 继续.Examples
如果中了五百万，还需要继续上班吗？
If I win five million dollars, do I have to keep working?
rúguǒ zhòng le wǔ bǎi wàn, hái xūyào jìxù shàngbān ma
公交车继续前行
The bus is going further
gōngjiāochē jìxù qiánxíng
我今天得继续做昨天没有完成的工作
I have to continue the work I didn't finish yesterday
wǒ jīntiān děi jìxù zuò zuótiān méi yǒu wánchéng de gōngzuò