强

強/彊

qiáng, jiàng, qiǎng

弓 + 虽

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

qiáng (adjective) strong; powerful; forceful

qiǎng (verb) to force; to compel; to make an effort

jiàng (adjective) stubborn; unyielding

Etymology

Phonosemantic component. 弓 represents the meaning and 畺 represents the sound. Originally written as 彊.

Semantic: 弓 Phonetic: 虫

About

The traditional form 強 is a phono-semantic compound: the bow radical 弓 on the left suggests tautness, force, and resilience, while the right side originally held the sound component 畺 (jiāng), which gave the character its pronunciation. Over time, 畺 was corrupted to 虫, creating the familiar traditional shape. The primary meaning "strong" or "powerful" arose from the bow's elastic strength and later broadened to encompass physical vigor, exerted effort, compelling outcomes, and an unyielding competitive drive.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的身体很强壮。

Tā de shēntǐ hěn qiángzhuàng.

His body is very strong.

我们要强调学习的重要性。

Wǒmen yào qiángdiào xuéxí de zhòngyàoxìng.

We need to emphasize the importance of learning.

这个国家非常强大。

Zhège guójiā fēicháng qiángdà.

This country is very powerful.

她是一个坚强的女孩。

Tā shì yīgè jiānqiáng de nǚhái.

She is a strong girl.

强制措施必须合理。

Qiángzhì cuòshī bìxū hélǐ.

Compulsory measures must be reasonable.

他的要求很强烈。

Tā de yāoqiú hěn qiángliè.

His demand is very strong.

经济发展需要强有力的领导。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn xūyào qiángyǒulì de lǐngdǎo.

Economic development requires strong leadership.

在困难面前，他表现得格外顽强。

Zài kùnnán miànqián, tā biǎoxiàn dé géwài wánqiáng.

In the face of difficulties, he performed exceptionally tenacious.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 弓

Component: 虽

强