坚信

• Pinyin: jiān xìn
• Hanzi breakdown: 坚 = 土 + 又 (earth + hand — firm, unshakeable); 信 = 亻 + 言 (person + speech/word — trustworthy, to believe a person's word)

Meaning

To firmly believe; to be deeply convinced; to have unshakeable faith in. Expresses a degree of conviction stronger and more certain than ordinary 相信 (to believe).

Used when belief is deeply held, emotionally committed, and resistant to doubt. Common in motivational contexts, ideological statements, and personal testimony. Often collocates with 坚信…一定会 (firmly believe that something will certainly happen).

Examples

1. 她坚信通过努力一定能够改变自己的命运，这种信念支撑着她走过了最艰难的岁月。 She firmly believed that hard work would change her fate, and that conviction carried her through the hardest years.
2. 科学家坚信这次实验的结果将为相关领域的研究打开全新的突破口。 Scientists are firmly convinced that the results of this experiment will open up a brand-new breakthrough in the field.
3. 即便面对众多质疑，他仍然坚信自己的理论是正确的，并继续收集支持证据。 Even in the face of many doubts, he remained firmly convinced his theory was correct and continued gathering supporting evidence.

Usage Guide

Context: motivation, ideology, personal testimony, academic, rhetoric

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 他始终坚信人性本善，并把这种信念贯穿多年教学，用尊重和耐心唤醒学生的成长意愿。(He has always firmly believed that human nature is good, and he has carried this belief through years of teaching, using respect and patience to awaken students' desire to grow.)
• 创业团队在融资低谷中仍坚信市场方向有长期价值，正是这种共同信念让他们熬过了最艰难的时期。(Even in the depths of a funding slump, the startup team still firmly believed their market direction had long-term value, and that shared conviction helped them get through the hardest period.)

Don't Say

• 坚信 is considerably stronger than 相信 (to believe/think). Do not use 坚信 for mild or tentative beliefs — use 相信 or 认为 in those cases. 坚信 implies deep, unwavering conviction, often with strong emotional commitment. For certainty based purely on evidence rather than conviction, prefer 确信.

Origin & History

坚 (firm; solid; steadfast) + 信 (to believe; trust; letter — 亻person + 言 speech — a person's word, trustworthy speech)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal