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persistir

per-sees-TEER/peɾsisˈtiɾ/

“persistir” means “to persist” in Spanish (to continue existing or doing something).

to persist

Also: to linger, to keep at it
VerbB1regular ir
A small green plant growing out of a crack in a hard stone pavement.
gerundpersistiendo
past Participlepersistido
infinitivepersistir

📝 In Action

Si el dolor persiste después de dos días, llame al doctor.

A2

If the pain persists after two days, call the doctor.

Ella persistió en su esfuerzo por aprender piano.

B1

She persisted in her effort to learn the piano.

A pesar de las críticas, el director persiste en su visión original.

C1

Despite the criticism, the director persists in his original vision.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • cesar (to cease)
  • rendirse (to give up)
  • desistir (to stop/desist)

Common Collocations

  • persistir en el error – to keep making the same mistake
  • persistir en la duda – to remain in doubt
  • si los síntomas persisten – if symptoms persist

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespersistieran
yopersistiera
túpersistieras
vosotrospersistierais
nosotrospersistiéramos
él/ella/ustedpersistiera

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespersistan
yopersista
túpersistas
vosotrospersistáis
nosotrospersistamos
él/ella/ustedpersista

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedespersistieron
yopersistí
túpersististe
vosotrospersististeis
nosotrospersistimos
él/ella/ustedpersistió

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedespersistían
yopersistía
túpersistías
vosotrospersistíais
nosotrospersistíamos
él/ella/ustedpersistía

present

ellos/ellas/ustedespersisten
yopersisto
túpersistes
vosotrospersistís
nosotrospersistimos
él/ella/ustedpersiste
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: persistir

Question 1 of 3

Which preposition usually follows 'persistir' when describing an action?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
persistencia(persistence) — Noun
persistente(persistent) — Adjective
persistentemente(persistently) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'persistere', which combines 'per-' (through/thoroughly) and 'sistere' (to stand still or take a stand).

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: persistFrench: persisterItalian: persistere

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'persistir' a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ir, with no stem changes.

Can I use 'persistir' to mean 'to insist'?

They are close, but 'persistir' is more about the duration of an action or condition, while 'insistir' is usually about someone's social behavior or demands.

What is the noun form of 'persistir'?

The noun is 'la persistencia' (persistence).