硬性 (yìng xìng) — (adj.) hard-and-fast, rigid, mandatory (of rule…

Definition

Used only for rules, requirements, or standards that are fixed and non-negotiable. Pairs with 规定, 指标, 要求, etc.

noun

(adj.) hard-and-fastrigidmandatory (of rules, requirements, conditions)

硬性，。
Gōng sī yǒu yìng xìng guī dìng, bù néng suí biàn qǐng jià.
The company has hard-and-fast rules; you can't just take leave casually.
硬性。
Zhè ge xiàng mù yǒu yìng xìng de shí jiān yāo qiú.
This project has a rigid time requirement.
硬性，。
yìng xìng Zhǐ biāo bì xū wán chéng, méi yǒu shāng liang yú dì.
The mandatory targets must be met; there is no room for negotiation.

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.

硬 gives hardness, and 性 gives a quality sense, as in rigid or mandatory.

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.

石更硬

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

更

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.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

忄生性

Meaning part形符xíngfú

忄Written in full as心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

生

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.