顽强

• Pinyin: wán qiáng
• Hanzi breakdown: 顽 = 元 (primary) + 页 (head); 强 = 弓 (bow) + 虽 (although)

Meaning

Tenacious; indomitable; unyielding. Showing strong determination and persistence in the face of difficulties.

A highly positive quality describing someone or something that refuses to give up despite adversity. Used for people's willpower, athletic performance, resistance to illness, plant survival, etc. Related: 顽强拼搏 (fight tenaciously), 顽强的生命力 (tenacious vitality).

Examples

1. 这位运动员凭借顽强的意志赢得了比赛。 This athlete won the competition with tenacious willpower.
2. 沙漠中的植物有着顽强的生命力。 Plants in the desert have tenacious vitality.
3. 他顽强地与病魔斗争了五年。 He tenaciously fought against the illness for five years.

Usage Guide

Context: inspirational, sports, medical

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 她有顽强的意志。(She has an indomitable will.)
• 顽强抵抗到底！(Resist tenaciously to the end!)

Don't Say

• 他顽强地吃完了饭 — 日常小事不用顽强，这个词用于克服重大困难的场合

Origin & History

Compound of 顽 (stubborn, firm) + 强 (strong). Together meaning stubbornly strong, unyielding.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal