刚强 (gāng qiáng) — (of character or will) firm, staunch, unyielding

Definition

Describes a person's character or will as firm and unyielding under hardship. Stronger and more literary than 坚强; the latter fits everyday setbacks, while 刚强 is used for extreme trials and steadfastness.

adjective
(of character or will) firmstaunchunyielding

Examples

  • 刚强，。
    Tā de xìng gé hěn gāng qiáng, cóng bù qīng yì fàng qì.
    His character is very unyielding; he never gives up easily.
  • ，刚强。
    Miàn duì kùn nan, tā biǎo xiàn chū le gāng qiáng de yì zhì.
    Facing difficulties, she displayed a staunch will.
  • 刚强，。
    Yí gè rén zhǐ yǒu nèi xīn gāng qiáng, cái néng jīng de qǐ kǎo yàn.
    Only when one's heart is firm can one withstand trials.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

刚gāngfirm
强qiángstrong

刚 and 强 both convey firmness and strength, together describing an unyielding character.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 剛; 刚 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 剛 was made by combining a picture-like sign with a sign that gave its sound; the simplified 刚 is a later shorthand.

Open 刚 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 強; 强 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 強 pairs an insect component with a sound component; this explains 強, not the simplified 强.

Open 强 →

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