Durchhalten

Durchhalten is a German verb meaning to persevere, endure, or hold out through difficulty until a goal is reached. It conveys sustained effort, resilience under pressure, and the decision to continue despite obstacles. As a separable-prefix verb, durchhalten is conjugated with the prefix separating in finite tenses: ich halte durch, du hältst durch, er hält durch; the infinitive remains durchhalten, and the past participle is durchgehalten. The noun form, das Durchhalten, refers to the act or quality of perseverance.

Etymology and usage notes: The word combines durch- (through, across) with halten (to hold). The sense is to keep going through a challenging period or process. It is widely used in everyday language as well as in formal contexts.

Contexts and examples: Durchhalten appears in sports, education, work, health, and public life. Examples include: Wir müssen bis zum Ende durchhalten. Die Mannschaft hielt bis zur letzten Minute durch. In motivational speech one might hear: Haltet durch! Das Durchhalten lohnt sich in der Regel am Ende.

Related terms and nuances: Closely related concepts are Ausdauer (endurance), Beharrlichkeit (perseverance), and Geduld (patience). The phrase Haltet durch is a common imperative form used to encourage others to endure a difficult period. Durchhalten can also function as a noun, describing the overarching quality of persistence in a person or a project.