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坚毅 (jiān yì) — firm and resolute; persevering; steadfast

Definition

Adjective describing a person or expression that is firm and unyielding in the face of hardship — stronger and more literary than 坚持 (to persist), focused on inner character and willpower rather than a specific action.

adjective
firm and resoluteperseveringsteadfast

Examples

  • 坚毅。
    Tā shì yí gè fēi cháng jiān yì de rén.
    He is a very steadfast person.
  • 坚毅。
    Tā liǎn shàng lù chū jiān yì de biǎo qíng.
    She revealed a resolute expression on her face.
  • 坚毅。
    Tā men yǐ jiān yì de yì zhì kè fú le suǒ yǒu kùn nan.
    They overcame all difficulties with a steadfast will.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

坚jiānfirm
毅yìresolute

坚 (firm) and 毅 (resolute) together describe a steady, unyielding will.

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 堅; 坚 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
土土tǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
臤
臤qiān堅jiān
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 堅 pairs 臤, giving the sound, with 土, earth, giving the sense; the simplified 坚 is a later shorthand.

Open 坚 →

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.

Appears in
Personality & Traits

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