Japanese word

強硬

Pronunciation

Romajikyōkō

Meaning

  • na-adjectivehard-line

Example

政府は強硬な態度を示しました。sei fu wa kyō kō na tai do o shime shi ma shi ta

The government took a hard-line stance.

Illustration for 強硬 (hard-line)

More examples

彼は期限の延長に強硬に反対しました。kare wa ki gen no en chō ni kyō kō ni han tai shi ma shi ta

He strongly opposed extending the deadline.

Core concept

Describes a firm position that leaves little room for compromise or concession.

Common phrases

  • 強硬な姿勢kyō kō na shi sei

    hard-line stance

  • 強硬な態度kyō kō na tai do

    hard-line attitude

  • 強硬に反対するkyō kō ni han tai su ru

    strongly oppose

Similar words

頑なkatakuna: Describes a person or position that firmly refuses to change or compromise.
強気tsuyoki: Describes a confident position that takes an assertive approach to a conflict.

Definition in Japanese

相手の要求や意見を受け入れず、厳しい態度を取るさま。ai te no yō kyū ya i ken o u ke i re zu kibi shi i tai do o to ru sa ma

Word origin

強硬 (kyōkō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 強 (kyō, "strong") and 硬 (kō, "hard"), expressing a strong and unyielding position.

Usage tips

  • In English, hard-line commonly appears before words such as stance, policy, and approach to describe a position that resists compromise.

Other meanings

  • uncompromisingna-adjective

Opposites

  • 柔軟jūnanflexiblena-adjective
  • 穏健onkenmoderatena-adjective

Related words

  • 強硬さkyōkōsahard-line attitudenoun
  • 強硬化kyōkōkahardeningnoun

Word lists with this word