矫健 (jiǎo jiàn) — strong and vigorous, robust and agile

Definition

Literary adjective describing a strong, agile body or movement — written in tone, more elevated than the plain 强壮. Usually modifies gait, posture, or athletic action, not appearance.

adjective
strong and vigorousrobust and agile

Examples

  • 矫健。
    Tā zǒu lù de zī shì fēi cháng jiǎo jiàn.
    His walking posture is very vigorous.
  • 矫健。
    Zhè pǐ mǎ pǎo qǐ lái jiǎo jiàn yǒu lì.
    This horse runs vigorously and powerfully.
  • 矫健。
    Wǔ shù yùn dòng yuán de dòng zuò jiǎo jiàn ér yōu měi.
    The martial arts athlete's movements are vigorous and graceful.

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.

矫jiǎostrong
健jiànhealthy

矫 and 健 both convey strength and vigor, so the word describes a strong, agile body or movement.

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 矯; 矫 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
矢矢shǐarrow
Sound part声符shēngfú
喬
喬qiáo矯jiǎo
Same sound today

The traditional 矯 pairs 矢 (arrow) with 喬 as a sound part; 矢 shows straightening like an arrow shaft. The simplified 矫 is a later abbreviation.

Open 矫 →

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
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
建
建jiàn健jiàn
Same sound today

The left part 亻 depicts a person, and the right part 建 gives the sound.

Open 健 →

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