continuous

sponge

go on and on ⇒ 绵延不断的文化传统 miányán bù duàn de wénhuà chuántǒng → unbroken cultural tradition

( 谦 ) meagre effort

weak

long ⇒ 绵长的岁月 miáncháng de suìyuè → many years

( 摆脱不开 ) lingering

continuous ⇒ 阴雨连绵 yīnyǔ liánmián → rainy spell

( 柔软 ) soft

( 贬 ) soft on the outside but ruthless within