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March 24, 2026
坚强(堅強)jiānqiáng(jian1qiang2)
坚强 (jiānqiáng) means strong or staunch, often used to describe a person's character or willpower. It conveys resilience in the face of challenges and is commonly used in contexts involving emotional strength or perseverance.
Frequency#2189DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 坚强 is often celebrated in literature and history, representing the strength of individuals or communities during difficult times, such as wars or social upheavals. It reflects the value placed on perseverance and resilience.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong tree (坚) standing firm against powerful winds (强). The tree symbolizes emotional strength and resilience, which helps you remember that 坚强 means strong. Picture the tree's roots digging deep, making it hard to uproot, just like a person who is坚强.
Meanings of 坚强
jiānqiáng(jian1qiang2)
1staunch
2strong
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 坚强
坚强Simplified
堅強Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2189Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 坚强
Podcast: 坚强
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AI Study Notes for 坚强
Quick Contrast
坚韧 (jiānrèn) vs 坚强 (jiānqiáng): use 坚韧 when emphasizing endurance or tenacity in difficult situations, while 坚强 focuses more on strength of character or willpower.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong tree (坚) standing firm against powerful winds (强). The tree symbolizes emotional strength and resilience, which helps you remember that 坚强 means strong. Picture the tree's roots digging deep, making it hard to uproot, just like a person who is坚强.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 坚强 with similar words like 强大 (qiángdà), which means powerful in a broader sense. 坚强 is more personal, relating to inner strength. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to describe individuals facing adversity.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 坚强 connects with other words describing characteristics and personal qualities, such as 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn - brave) and 坚定 (jiāndìng - determined). Focus on using it in sentences that express strength in various life situations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 坚强 is often celebrated in literature and history, representing the strength of individuals or communities during difficult times, such as wars or social upheavals. It reflects the value placed on perseverance and resilience.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 坚强 in contexts where they mean simply 'strong' in a physical sense, like '他很坚强' when referring to a strong athlete. Instead, specify the context by saying '他在比赛中表现得很强' (He performed very strongly in the competition).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 坚强
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Grammar Patterns of 坚强
坚强 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
当你从内心深处找到一种可以忍受一切痛苦的____力量时，你的成长历程就会出现飞跃。
The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
2
我当时不知道罗恩有那么坚强的个性。
wǒ dāng shí bù zhī dào luó ēn yǒu nà mó jiān qiáng de gè xìng。
I didn't know Ron had that much strength of character.
3
她镇定而且坚强，绝不会垮掉。
tā zhèn dìng ér qiě jiān qiáng， ， jué bù huì kuǎ。
She's calm and strong, and she is just not going to crack.
4
这把她描绘得很懦弱，其实她性格十分坚强。
zhè bǎ tā miáo huì dé hěn nuò ruò， ， qí shí tā xìng gé shí fēn jiān。
This portrays her as wimpy, but she has a very strong character.
5
西伯利亚大草原的艰苦环境使她变得坚强起来。
xī bó lì yà dà cǎo yuán de jiān kǔ huán jìng shǐ tā biàn dé jiān qiáng qǐ lái。
She was hardened by the rigours of the Siberian steppes.
6
他们认为参与打架会使男孩子变得坚强，教会他们怎样成为男人。
tā mén rèn wéi cān yǔ dǎ jià huì shǐ nán hái zǐ biàn dé jiān qiáng， ， jiào huì tā mén zěn yàng chéng wéi nán。
They believe that participating in fights toughens boys and shows them how to be men.
7
坚强 、 自信 、有气魄的郭振山,实在说,永远也不会向人低三下四啊!
jiān qiáng、 、 zì、 xìn 、 yǒu qì pò de guō, zhèn shān ,, shí zài shuō , yǒng yuǎn yě bù huì xiàng rén dī!
Stubborn, self - confident Guo Zhenshan has never gone crawling to anyone.
8
可是谁会想到这个又瘦又小又平凡的媚兰竟是一座坚强的高塔 啊 ?
kě shì shuí huì xiǎng dào zhè gè yòu shòu yòu xiǎo yòu píng fán de mèi lán jìng shì yī zuò jiān qiáng de gāo tǎ?
But who would have thought of small plain Melanie as a tower of strength?
9
他健硕的身体使他显得意志尤为坚强。
tā jiàn shuò de shēn tǐ shǐ tā xiǎn dé yì zhì yóu wéi jiān qiáng。
His hard sinewy body advertised his ruthlessness of purpose.
10
?妗莪还沩洎己哋帅洏坚强哋萿着!
? ? jìn é huán wéi jì jǐ diè shuài ér jiān qiáng diè kuò!
So far I also own a strong and handsome alive!
Cultural Notes for 坚强
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 坚强 is often celebrated in literature and history, representing the strength of individuals or communities during difficult times, such as wars or social upheavals. It reflects the value placed on perseverance and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions about 坚强
No, 坚强 primarily refers to emotional or mental strength rather than physical attributes.
It is generally a positive term, indicating admiration for someone's strength and resilience.
You could say, '他在困难中表现得非常坚强' (Tā zài kùnnán zhōng biǎoxiàn dé fēicháng jiānqiáng) meaning 'He showed great strength during difficulties.'
