硬

yìng
更 + 石
HSK 2.0Level 5
HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

yìng (adjective) hard; stiff; firm
yìng (adjective) strong; resolute; unyielding
yìng (adjective) (of food) filling; substantial

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 更 represents the sound.

Semantic: 石 Phonetic: 更

About

硬 is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic component 石 (stone) and the phonetic component 更 (gèng). Its root meaning draws on the hardness of stone to express the physical qualities hard, stiff, rigid, and unyielding to pressure, originally applied to materials like rock and metal. From this tangible sense, the character broadened to the human sphere, characterizing a person as stubborn, obstinate, inflexible, or tough and strong-willed, and labeling actions or stances that are forceful and show no willingness to compromise or soften.

Example Sentences Hide

这块石头很硬。

Zhè kuài shítou hěn yìng.

This stone is very hard.

硬币是金属做的。

Yìngbì shì jīnshǔ zuò de.

Coins are made of metal.

他的态度很强硬。

Tā de tàidù hěn qiángyìng.

His attitude is very tough.

面包放久了会变硬。

Miànbāo fàng jiǔle huì biàn yìng.

Bread becomes hard if left for too long.

电脑硬件需要升级。

Diànnǎo yìngjiàn xūyào shēngjí.

Computer hardware needs an upgrade.

他硬着头皮完成了任务。

Tā yìngzhe tóupí wánchéngle rènwù.

He forced himself to complete the task.

尽管困难重重，他还是硬撑着工作。

Jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng, tā háishì yìngchēngzhe gōngzuò.

Despite numerous difficulties, he still persevered in working.

在硬科技领域，创新是发展的关键。

Zài yìng kējì lǐngyù, chuàngxīn shì fāzhǎn de guānjiàn.

In the field of hard technology, innovation is the key to development.

Related Characters

Component: 更

便 梗 哽 埂 粳 鲠 绠 筻 鯁 骾 㹴 浭 甦 稉

Component: 石

确 研 破 础 码 碰 矿 碎 岩 碍 磨 磁 碗 碧

Example Words

僵硬 嘴硬 坚硬 强硬 生硬 硬仗 硬件 硬化 硬币 硬度 硬座 硬撑 硬是 硬朗 硬汉 硬生生 硬盘 硬卧 硬邦邦 肝硬化 变硬 软磨硬泡 过硬 冻硬