嘴硬

• Pinyin: zuǐ yìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 嘴 (mouth) + 硬 (hard) -> a mouth that refuses to soften or admit.

Meaning

嘴硬 means refusing to admit true feelings, mistakes, or defeat even when obvious.

It often appears in teasing about someone who says they do not care but clearly does, or will not apologize despite being wrong. Tone can be affectionate or critical.

Examples

1. 他明明想去，还嘴硬说随便。 He clearly wants to go, but he still says, 'Whatever.
2. 输了比赛还嘴硬，不肯认。 He lost the match and still wouldn't admit it.
3. 别把坚持原则说成嘴硬。 Don't call sticking to your principles being嘴硬.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, arguments, relationships

Tone: teasing, stubborn, critical

Do Say

• 明明在意却否认可说嘴硬。（It fits denial.）
• 认错困难也可说嘴硬。（It fits stubborn refusal.）

Don't Say

• 把有理有据的坚持叫嘴硬。（Stubborn denial is different.）

Common Mistakes

• Do not use 嘴硬 for simple quietness; it involves verbal denial.

Origin & History

The literal image of a “hard mouth” became a colloquial metaphor for stubborn denial.

Cultural Context

Era: 2020s

Generation: Broad casual speakers

Social background: Everyday friends, family, and online contexts

Regional notes: Common across Mainland China.