刚毅 (gāng yì) — resolute, stalwart, unyielding (of character)

Definition

A formal, written word for an unyielding, stalwart character — stronger and more literary than everyday words like 坚强 ('strong, hardy'). Used mainly for leaders, soldiers, or willpower in serious contexts.

adjective
resolutestalwartunyielding (of character)

Examples

  • 刚毅。
    Tā shì yí wèi xìng gé gāng yì de jiāng jūn.
    He is a general with a resolute character.
  • ，刚毅。
    Miàn duì kùn nan, tā biǎo xiàn chū le gāng yì de yì zhì.
    Facing difficulties, she showed a stalwart will.
  • 刚毅。
    Tā de yǎn shén zhōng tòu lù chū yì zhǒng gāng yì.
    His eyes revealed a kind of unyielding determination.

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
毅yìresolute

刚 means firm and 毅 means resolute, so together they describe 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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
殳殳shūan ancient Chinese weapon
Sound part声符shēngfú
豙
豙yì毅yì
Same sound today

毅 pairs 豙 (yì), which gives the sound, with 殳, an ancient Chinese weapon.

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.