Chinese word

骨气

Pronunciation

Pinyingǔ qì

Meaning

  • nounbackbone

Example

她有骨气，拒绝屈服。tā yǒu gǔ qì jù jué qū fú

She has backbone and refuses to give in.

Illustration for 骨气 (backbone)

More examples

在那件事上，他表现出骨气。zài nà jiàn shì shàng tā biǎo xiàn chū gǔ qì

In that matter, he showed backbone.

Core concept

An inner support that keeps a person upright when pressure pushes them down.

Common phrases

  • 有骨气yǒu gǔ qì

    have backbone

  • 表现骨气biǎo xiàn gǔ qì

    show backbone

  • 保持骨气bǎo chí gǔ qì

    maintain one's backbone

Similar words

气节qì jié: Steadfast commitment to doing what is right despite pressure or temptation.
尊严zūn yán: The self-respect and dignity a person expects others to honor.
意志yì zhì: The determination to continue pursuing a goal without giving up.
勇气yǒng qì: The nerve to take action in the face of danger.

Definition in Chinese

不屈从于压力，保持正直与尊严的性格或气质。bù qū cóng yú yā lì bǎo chí zhèng zhí yǔ zūn yán de xìng gé huò qì zhì

Word origin

骨 (gǔ, "bone") + 气 (qì, "spirit") form a metaphor in which bodily support becomes moral strength and firmness.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may mistake this quality for stubbornness, but the word normally carries approval when a person protects dignity or principles under pressure.

Other meanings

  • characternoun

Opposites

  • 怯懦qiè nuòcowardicenoun

Word lists with this word