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毅然 (yì rán) — firmly, resolutely, without hesitation

Definition

An adverb meaning 'resolutely,' used in formal writing to describe a firm decision or action after deliberation. Stronger and more literary than 硬 or 牢牢; pairs with verbs like 选择, 决定, 放弃.

adverb
firmlyresolutelywithout hesitation

Examples

  • 毅然。
    Tā yì rán xuǎn zé le fàng qì shū shì de shēng huó.
    He resolutely chose to give up a comfortable life.
  • ，毅然。
    Miàn duì tiǎo zhàn, tā yì rán dì chéng dān le zé rèn.
    Facing the challenge, she resolutely took on the responsibility.
  • 毅然。
    Zhè ge jué dìng shì tā jīng guò shēn sī shú lǜ hòu yì rán zuò chū de.
    This decision was made resolutely by him after careful consideration.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

毅yìresolute
然ránmanner

毅 supplies the resolute sense, and 然 gives the manner of acting, yielding 'firmly'.

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
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.

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
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

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