Japanese word

強引

Pronunciation

Romajigōin

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveforceful

Example

彼のやり方は強引です。kare no ya ri kata wa gō in de su

His approach is forceful.

Illustration for 強引 (forceful)

More examples

彼は会議で強引に話を進めました。kare wa kai gi de gō in ni hanashi o susu me ma shi ta

He forcefully moved the discussion forward.

Core concept

Describes using strong pressure to move an action forward instead of relying on willing agreement.

Common phrases

  • 強引なやり方gō in na ya ri kata

    a forceful approach

  • 強引な勧誘gō in na kan yū

    pushy solicitation

  • 強引に話を進めるgō in ni hanashi o susu me ru

    move a discussion forward forcefully

Similar words

横暴ōbō: Describes using authority or power in an unreasonable and domineering way.
一方的ippōteki: Describes acting in a one-sided way that leaves little room for the other person's wishes.
独断的dokudanteki: Describes making decisions based mainly on one's own judgment without considering others.
高圧的kōatsuteki: Describes applying strong pressure in an authoritative manner.

Definition in Japanese

相手の意向をあまり考慮せず、無理に物事を進めようとするさま。ai te no i kō o a ma ri kō ryo se zu mu ri ni mono goto o susu me yō to su ru sa ma

Word origin

The compound 強引 (gōin, "forceful") joins 強 (kyō, "strong") and 引 (in, "pull"), giving a literal sense of pulling strongly that develops into forcing matters forward.

Usage tips

  • In English, forceful can sound positive, but 強引 (gōin) often suggests that someone ignores other people's wishes, so pushy may fit social situations better.

Other meanings

  • pushyna-adjective
  • coercivena-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 強引さgōinsaforcefulnessnoun

Word lists with this word