Chinese word

强硬

Pronunciation

Pinyinqiáng yìng

Meaning

  • adjectivetough

Example

她在会议上说话很强硬，没人敢反对。tā zài huì yì shàng shuō huà hěn qiáng yìng méi rén gǎn fǎn duì

She speaks very firmly at the meeting, and no one dares oppose her.

Illustration for 强硬 (tough)

More examples

面对批评，他仍然保持强硬的态度。miàn duì pī píng tā réng rán bǎo chí qiáng yìng de tài dù

Even in the face of criticism, he maintained a tough attitude.

Core concept

Strength applied with little softness, so a position or action presses forward rather than bending.

Common phrases

  • 采取强硬措施cái qǔ qiáng yìng cuò shī

    take tough measures

  • 强硬的态度qiáng yìng de tài dù

    tough attitude

Similar words

坚决jiān jué: Strongly resolved to follow a decision or course of action without wavering.
强势qiáng shì: Using power or influence to take the leading position and pressure others.
严厉yán lì: Showing great severity in speech or behavior, often when criticizing or correcting someone.
顽固wán gù: Holding stubbornly to personal views or methods and resisting other people's advice.

Definition in Chinese

表示态度或做法坚决且不易退让，常带有对立或压制意味，侧重于行为或立场的强硬性格或策略。biǎo shì tài dù huò zuò fǎ jiān jué qiě bú yì tuì ràng cháng dài yǒu duì lì huò yā zhì yì wèi cè zhòng yú xíng wéi huò lì chǎng de qiáng yìng xìng gé huò cè lüè

Word origin

强硬 (qiángyìng, "tough") combines 强 (qiáng, "strong") + 硬 (yìng, "hard"), extending physical strength and hardness to an unyielding stance or method.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 强硬 (qiángyìng, "tough") usually describes the manner or stance behind a statement, not merely a loud voice or strong volume.

Opposites

Related words

  • 强硬派qiáng yìng pàihard-linernoun

Word lists with this word