韧

靭/靱/韌

rèn

刃 + 韦

Definitions

rèn (adjective) tough; tenacious; pliable but strong

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 韦 represents the meaning and 刃 represents the sound. Simplified form of 韌.

Semantic: 韦 Phonetic: 刃

About

韧 describes something tough and pliable, resisting breakage. As a phono-semantic compound, its left radical 韦 (tanned leather) provides the core meaning of flexible strength, while the right component 刃 (blade) offers the phonetic cue. Its traditional form, 韌, uses the full leather radical 韋. The character logically links the durable, bendable nature of treated hide to the abstract concept of resilience, extending metaphorically to describe unyielding determination or tenacity in a person's character.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这种材料很有韧性。

Zhè zhǒng cáiliào hěn yǒu rènxìng.

This material is very resilient.

他的性格非常坚韧。

Tā de xìnggé fēicháng jiānrèn.

His personality is very tough and resilient.

韧性是一种宝贵的品质。

Rènxìng shì yī zhǒng bǎoguì de pǐnzhì.

Resilience is a valuable quality.

皮革的韧性和强度都很好。

Pígé de rènxìng hé qiángdù dōu hěn hǎo.

The leather has good toughness and strength.

她以坚韧的意志克服了所有困难。

Tā yǐ jiānrèn de yìzhì kèfú le suǒyǒu kùnnán.

She overcame all difficulties with her resilient will.

这种纤维的韧性足以承受巨大压力。

Zhè zhǒng xiānwéi de rènxìng zúyǐ chéngshòu jùdà yālì.

The toughness of this fiber is sufficient to withstand great pressure.

经过多年磨练，他的精神变得异常坚韧。

Jīngguò duōnián mólìàn, tā de jīngshén biàn dé yìcháng jiānrèn.

After years of tempering, his spirit has become exceptionally resilient.

在快速变化的市场中，企业的战略韧性决定了其生存能力。

Zài kuàisù biànhuà de shìchǎng zhōng, qǐyè de zhànlüè rènxìng juédìng le qí shēngcún nénglì.

In a rapidly changing market, the strategic resilience of an enterprise determines its survivability.

Related Characters

Component: 刃

Component: 韦

韧