to persevere / to last
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to persevere
To endure a strenuous or difficult situation until the end without giving up; to keep going.
Die letzten Kilometer des Marathons waren hart, aber ich habe durchgehalten.
The last kilometers of the marathon were hard, but I persevered.
to last
To remain, be sufficient, or keep functioning over a certain period of time.
Ich hoffe, der Akku meines Handys hält noch bis zum Abend durch.
I hope my phone battery lasts until the evening.
'Durchhalten' (to persevere/to last) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'durch' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er hielt trotz der Schmerzen bis zum Ziel durch.
Despite the pain, he held out until the finish line.
The verb is made up of 'durch' (through) and 'halten' (to hold). The meaning is figurative: you 'hold' a situation 'through' until the end; you do not let go.
Wir müssen diesen Sturm gemeinsam durchhalten.
We have to get through this storm together.
In the meaning 'weitermachen' (to keep going), 'durchhalten' (to persevere) is often used without an object. As the imperative 'Halte durch!' (Hang in there!) or 'Haltet durch!' (Hang in there, everyone!), it is a common expression of encouragement.
Halte durch, du hast es fast geschafft!
Hang in there, you've almost made it!
When the subject is a thing with limited energy or quantity, such as a battery or supplies, 'durchhalten' (to last) means 'ausreichen' (to be enough) or 'nicht leer werden' (not to run out). With people, it almost always means 'nicht aufgeben' (not to give up).
Meine alten Wanderschuhe müssen diesen Urlaub noch durchhalten.
My old hiking boots have to last through this vacation.
to continue
Both words work when someone does not give up despite difficulties. „weitermachen“ initially just describes continuing, while „durchhalten“ places more emphasis on persevering until a goal or the end. Use „weitermachen“ for the action itself and „durchhalten“ for the endurance it requires.
Auch nach dem Rückschlag hält das Team bis zum Ende durch.
Even after the setback, the team perseveres until the end.
Auch nach dem Rückschlag macht das Team mit der Arbeit weiter.
Even after the setback, the team continues working.
