Chinese word

刚毅

Pronunciation

Pinyingāng yì

Meaning

  • adjectivestrong-willed

Example

他为人刚毅，很少改变主意。tā wéi rén gāng yì hén shǎo gǎi biàn zhǔ yì

He is strong-willed and rarely changes his mind.

Illustration for 刚毅 (strong-willed)

More examples

在关键时刻，她表现得很刚毅，带领大家脱离危险。zài guān jiàn shí kè tā biǎo xiàn de hěn gāng yì dài lǐng dà jiā tuō lí wēi xiǎn

At critical moments, she acted very resolutely and led everyone out of danger.

Core concept

A steady inner resolve that stays firm under pressure and does not give way.

Common phrases

  • 刚毅的精神gāng yì de jīng shén

    strong-willed spirit

  • 表现得刚毅biǎo xiàn de gāng yì

    act resolutely

  • 刚毅的军人gāng yì de jūn rén

    strong-willed soldier

Similar words

坚强jiān qiáng: Remaining mentally strong and steady when facing hardship or adversity.
坚韧jiān rèn: Enduring hardship with toughness and continuing patiently toward a goal.
坚定jiān dìng: Holding clear opinions or beliefs without changing them easily.

Definition in Chinese

表示人在性格或意志上坚定，不轻易动摇，遇到困难仍保持决心和原则。biǎo shì rén zài xìng gé huò yì zhì shàng jiān dìng bù qīng yì dòng yáo yù dào kùn nán réng bǎo chí jué xīn hé yuán zé

Word origin

The compound 刚毅 (gāngyì, "strong-willed") joins 刚 (gāng, "firm") with 毅 (yì, "resolute") to emphasize firmness of character and determination that does not waver.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Chinese, this adjective usually belongs in a respectful description of someone's character and can sound formal in casual self-description.

Other meanings

  • resoluteadjective
  • unyieldingadjective

Opposites

  • 软弱ruǎn ruòweakadjective
  • 优柔寡断yōu róu guǎ duànindecisiveadjective

Word lists with this word