硬撑 (yìng chēng) — to force oneself to keep going; to endure despite difficulty

Definition

A colloquial verb meaning to push through or endure despite difficulty, often at a cost to yourself. Implies stubborn perseverance rather than genuine ability — usually used when someone should really stop or rest.

verb
to force oneself to keep goingto endure despite difficulty

Examples

  • 硬撑。
    Tā shēng bìng le hái yìng chēng zhe qù shàng bān.
    He forced himself to go to work even though he was sick.
  • 硬撑，。
    Bié zài yìng chēng le, xiū xi yí xià ba.
    Don't keep forcing yourself; take a break.
  • ，硬撑。
    Tā suī rán hěn lèi, dàn hái shì yìng chēng zhe wán chéng le rèn wu.
    Although she was very tired, she still forced herself to finish the task.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

硬yìngforcefully
撑chēnghold on

硬 gives forcefully and 撑 gives hold on; together they mean forcing oneself to keep going.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
更
更gèng硬yìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

硬 is built from 石, meaning stone, to show hardness or stiffness, and 更, which gives the sound.

Open 硬 →

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 撐; 撑 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
牚
牚chēng撐chēng
Same sound today

The traditional form 撐 pairs 手 (hand) with 牚, which gives the sound; the simplified 撑 is a shorthand.

Open 撑 →

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