生硬

• Pinyin: shēng yìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 生 = 土 + 屮 (raw, unrefined); 硬 = 石 + 更 (hard, rigid)

Meaning

Stiff; rigid; unnatural; blunt — describing language, manners, or style that lacks smoothness, warmth, or fluency.

Describes writing that is clunky, translation that sounds unnatural, interpersonal communication that is cold or curt, or movements that are stilted. Common in literary criticism, language education, and interpersonal assessments. The opposite of 流畅 (fluent) or 圆润 (smooth and mellow).

Examples

1. 他的回答过于生硬，让对方感到被拒于千里之外，谈判气氛顿时僵化。 His reply was too blunt, making the other person feel shut out, and the negotiating atmosphere immediately became tense.
2. 这篇译文语言生硬，许多句子读来不够自然，亟需经验丰富的编辑润色修改。 The language in this translation is stiff; many sentences don’t read naturally and urgently need polishing by an experienced editor.
3. 刚参加工作的他，与同事的沟通仍显得有些生硬，尚需时间磨合与适应。 Having just started working, he still communicates with colleagues a bit stiffly and needs time to adjust and settle in.

Usage Guide

Context: language, communication, literature, workplace

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 这位新晋主持人的采访风格略显生硬，缺乏与嘉宾之间的自然互动和情感共鸣。(This newly debuted host's interview style is somewhat stiff, lacking natural interaction and emotional resonance with guests.)
• 文章的论述逻辑生硬，各段落之间缺少有机衔接，读来令人感到突兀和费解。(The article's argumentation is rigid and clunky; the paragraphs lack organic transitions, making it feel abrupt and difficult to follow.)

Don't Say

• 生硬 to describe physical hardness of a material — 生硬 is figurative and describes manner, tone, or style; use 坚硬 or 硬实 for physical rigidity

Origin & History

生 (raw, unprocessed) + 硬 (hard, rigid, stiff)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal