Definition
狠 (hěn) as an adjective means 'ruthless, fierce' — it emphasizes determination more than 残忍 (cánrěn 'cruel') or 无情 (wúqíng 'heartless'). As a verb, it means to harden one's heart or be strict. As an adverb, it intensifies an action, similar to 痛 (tòng) but 痛 pairs with a narrower set of verbs (打, 哭, 恨).
adjective
ruthlessfierceferociousdetermined
verb
to harden (one's heart)to be strict or harsh with (someone, oneself)
adverb
fiercelyseverely (modifies a verb to intensify the action)
Easily confused
- 狼lánglook-alikewolf
- 很hěnsound-alikevery; quite
- 跟gēnlook-alike(preposition) with; together with; (indicating comparison) compared to
- 根gēnlook-alike(noun) root; basis; origin
- 恨hènlook-aliketo hate
- 限xiànlook-aliketo limit; to restrict
- 银yínlook-alikesilver (the precious metal)
Examples
- 狠。Tā hěn xià xīn lái líkāi le jiā.He hardened his heart and left home.
- 狠。Jiàoliàn hěn xùn le duìyuán yí dùn.The coach severely scolded the team members.
- 狠。Tā shì ge hěn juésè.He is a ruthless character.
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