permanência

Permanência is a noun in Portuguese that denotes the state or condition of remaining in a place, or the duration over which a person or thing stays or endures. It can refer to a physical stay (permanência num local) as well as to the persistence or durability of a state, quality, or object. The term derives from the Latin permanere, with the suffix -ência forming abstract nouns.

In philosophy, permanence is a central topic in discussions about time and change. It concerns whether objects persist identically through time (endurantism) or whether they are extended in time as processes (perdurantism). In everyday language, permanência describes a person’s stay in a job or country, the lifespans of materials, or the ongoing status of a condition.

In law and administration, permanência can refer to the legally allowed duration of stay or residency and to the ongoing status of an individual’s rights within a jurisdiction. In social sciences, it is used to describe residential stability and continuity of residence, often contrasted with transience.

Examples:

A permanência de estudantes no campus depende da autorização da universidade.

The students’ stay on campus depends on university authorization.

A permanência de uma empresa no mercado depende de inovação constante.

A company’s continued presence in the market depends on constant innovation.

See also: permanence, enduring, persistence, continuity.