Perdurer

Perdurer is a French verb meaning to endure, to last over time, or to persist. It is used for things that maintain existence or influence across long periods, such as traditions, memories, institutions, or natural features. The word conveys a sense of lasting presence rather than mere duration.

Etymology traces perdurer to Latin perdurare, formed from per- “through” and durare “to last.” It entered Old French as perdurer and has remained in regular use since the Middle Ages. The term is a standard member of the Romance verb family and is closely related to other expressions of duration and resilience in French.

Usage of perdurer often pairs with phrases like à travers les siècles, dans le temps, or qui perdure. It emphasizes continuity and resilience rather than temporary persistence. Examples: « La tradition perdure malgré les changements sociaux. » « Le souvenir perdure dans les générations. » In contrast to disparaître (to vanish) or durer (to last in a more general sense), perdurer highlights enduring persistence over extended periods.

Conjugation follows the pattern of regular -er verbs. Present indicative forms include: je perdure, tu perdures, il perdure, nous perdurons, vous perdurez, ils perdurent. Other tenses align with standard -er conjugation: j’ai perduDuré is used in the passé composé, je perdurais in the imperfect, et je perdurerai in the future.