Chinese word

逞强

Pronunciation

Pinyinchěng qiáng

Meaning

  • verbact tough

Example

别在我面前逞强，需要帮忙就说。bié zài wǒ miàn qián chěng qiáng xū yào bāng máng jiù shuō

Don't act tough around me; tell me if you need help.

Illustration for 逞强 (act tough)

More examples

他为了面子常常在别人面前逞强，不愿意求助。tā wèi le miàn zi cháng cháng zài bié rén miàn qián chěng qiáng bú yuàn yì qiú zhù

He often acts tough in front of others to save face and does not want to ask for help.

Core concept

A public display of strength that protects pride more than it reflects real ability.

Common phrases

  • 为了面子逞强wèi le miàn zi chěng qiáng

    act tough to save face

  • 在别人面前逞强zài bié rén miàn qián chěng qiáng

    act tough in front of others

Similar words

假装jiǎ zhuāng: Deliberately pretending to have a quality, state, or identity that is not real.
硬撑yìng chēng: Struggling on through physical or mental exhaustion instead of stopping.

Definition in Chinese

有意装出自己很坚强或很能干以维护面子，实际上可能并非如此的行为或表现。yǒu yì zhuāng chū zì jǐ hěn jiān qiáng huò hěn néng gàn yǐ wéi hù miàn zi shí jì shàng kě néng bìng fēi rú cǐ de xíng wéi huò biǎo xiàn

Word origin

逞 (chěng, "to show off") + 强 (qiáng, "strong") presents strength as something displayed, giving the word its sense of putting on a tough front.

Usage tips

  • English act tough can suggest aggressive behavior, but this Chinese word often focuses on hiding difficulty to protect pride, even when accepting help would be sensible.

Other meanings

  • show offverb
  • bluffverb

Opposites

  • 示弱shì ruòshow weaknessverb
  • 服软fú ruǎnback downverb

Word lists with this word