Definition
倔 (juè) describes a gruff, surly manner in speech or behavior — someone abrupt or irritable in how they act. It differs from 倔强 (jué jiàng), which refers to a deeper personality trait of stubbornness, not just momentary surliness. 粗糙 (cū cāo) can also mean 'gruff' for voice or manner, but its primary sense is rough texture, making the context key to disambiguation.
adjective
gruffsurly (in speech or manner)
Easily confused
- 绝juésound-alike(verb) to cut off; to vanish; to become extinct
Examples
- 倔，。Tā shuōhuà zǒng shì nàme juè, hǎoxiàng shéi dōu qiàn tā qián shì de.He always speaks so gruffly, as if everyone owes him money.
- 倔，。Tā duì gùkè tàidu hěn juè, bèi tóusù le hǎo jǐ cì.His attitude towards customers is very gruff; he's been complained about several times.
- 倔，。Zhè lǎotóur píqi juè, dàn rén hěn hǎo.This old man has a gruff temper but is a good person.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.