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牵强 (qiān qiǎng) — to force an interpretation; to give a far-fetched explanation

Definition

Used to describe an explanation, analogy, or argument that is forced or strained — the connection doesn't really hold. In modern usage 牵强 functions as an adjective (他的解释太牵强了), not a true verb.

verb
to force an interpretationto give a far-fetched explanation

Examples

  • 牵强，。
    Tā de jiě shì tài qiān qiǎng le, méi yǒu rén huì xiāng xìn.
    His explanation is too far-fetched; no one will believe it.
  • ，牵强。
    Zhè ge bǐ yù suī rán xīn qí, dàn yǒu diǎn qiān qiǎng.
    This analogy, though novel, is a bit forced.
  • 牵强，。
    Nǐ zhè yàng shuō shí zài tài qiān qiǎng le, wǒ bù jiē shòu.
    What you are saying is really far-fetched; I don't accept it.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

牵qiānpull
强qiángforce

牵 and 强 both suggest pulling or forcing, describing a strained explanation.

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 牽; 牵 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
牛牛niúcow, ox
Sound part声符shēngfú
玄
玄xuán牽qiān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 牽 is built from 玄 and 牛, an ox, giving the picture of leading an ox by hand. The simplified 牵 is a later shorthand.

Open 牵 →

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 強; 强 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 強 pairs an insect component with a sound component; this explains 強, not the simplified 强.

Open 强 →
Appears in
Thinking & Cognition

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