Can 持续 have these 2 meanings?

Question

I found these 2 example sentences, with English translations, for 持续。They are very different in meaning. Are both ok?

In 2., 'go on' does not really belong together, nor is there any sense of 'continue to do sth'.

Ringil · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-28 02:17:40Z

4

Yes. It seems you understand the first sentence pretty well.

Regarding the second sentence, I think you're confusing 持续 and 足以. 足以 is the word that means "enough".

这足以持续到周末 = This is enough to last until the weekend.

The key here is that 持续 indicates a persistence, something that continues on.

answered Jul 28 '15 at 2:17

Ringil

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Aha, from the English I understood: 'It will suffice if we go (somewhere, to see someone) on the weekend. I didn't look at the Chinese carefully enough. Thanks! Upvote! – Pedroski Jul 28 '15 at 2:31

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smwikipedia · Accepted Answer · 2015-07-28 07:35:17Z

(I am a native Chinese speaker. And I have been speaking English for working purpose several years.)

In my opinion, 2 is a typical Enginese (English-styled Chinese). Allow me to invent this non-existing word.

I think the English version should look like this:

这足以持续到周末 -> This can last until the weekend.

I think it is over translation to put enough in the middle for 足以. A single can is good enough.

(BTW, enjoy your journey learning Chinese... It's concise, elegant, and flexible... Sometimes too flexible...)

Yes, I agree, the translation given with the Chinese sentence is bad. I didn't pick up on the '到‘ in there, and proceeded from the English, which was my mistake. I do enjoy learning Chinese though! It is an amazing language! — Pedroski, Jul 28 '15 at 10:47

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