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.
'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 hold
'halten' and 'durchhalten' can both have to do with something remaining in place or not giving up. 'halten' is more general: a state is maintained, or something does not break despite strain. 'durchhalten' emphasizes duration and effort. You use it when someone makes it through a difficult situation to the end, or when something lasts for a certain amount of time. The words can be confused because both express stability. 'halten' is more about the question: Does it stay stable? 'durchhalten' is more about the question: Can you make it to the end?
Bei der Arbeit bin ich sehr müde, aber ich halte bis Feierabend durch.
I'm very tired at work, but I'll hold out until the end of the workday.
Die alte Brücke hält trotz des starken Verkehrs noch immer.
The old bridge is still holding despite the heavy traffic.