Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
堅jiān(jian1)
The character 堅 (jiān) means hard, strong, or firm. It is often used to describe physical hardness, such as in materials, as well as metaphorical strength, like a person's resolve or determination. In contexts of decision-making or personal character, it conveys an unwavering attitude.
Strokes11Radical土Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 堅 is often tied to Confucian values of integrity and determination. For instance, being resolute in one's beliefs or commitments is highly regarded.
Memory Tip
Imagine a strong wall (the radical 土, meaning earth) that is unwavering and cannot be broken. This wall represents 'hardness' and 'firmness.' The sound 'jiān' can be remembered by thinking of a giant standing firm against the wind, symbolizing strength.
Meanings of 堅
jiān(jian1)
1hard, strong; firm, resolute
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 堅
堅Simplified
11Strokes
土Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 堅
Podcast: 堅
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 堅
Quick Contrast
坚 (jiān) vs 硬 (yìng) — use 坚 for metaphorical strength or resolve, while 硬 refers specifically to physical hardness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a strong wall (the radical 土, meaning earth) that is unwavering and cannot be broken. This wall represents 'hardness' and 'firmness.' The sound 'jiān' can be remembered by thinking of a giant standing firm against the wind, symbolizing strength.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 堅 with 軟 (ruǎn), which means soft. Remember that 堅 is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is often found in more serious conversations, such as discussions about principles or commitments.
HSK Study Tips
While 堅 is not in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to other words related to strength and firmness, such as 強 (qiáng, strong) and 硬 (yìng, hard). Students should focus on recognizing its use in idiomatic expressions and in contexts that emphasize resilience.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 堅 is often tied to Confucian values of integrity and determination. For instance, being resolute in one's beliefs or commitments is highly regarded.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 堅 with its similar-sounding counterparts like 硬 (yìng). For example, saying '這個是很堅' (This is very hard) when they mean to say it is solid should be corrected to '這個是很硬.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 堅
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 堅 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 堅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 堅
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 堅 is often tied to Confucian values of integrity and determination. For instance, being resolute in one's beliefs or commitments is highly regarded.
Word Family of 堅
Words Containing This Character20
坚持jiānchíto persevere with堅持
坚强jiānqiángstaunch堅強
坚决jiānjuéfirm堅決
坚定jiāndìngfirm堅定
坚信jiānxìnto believe firmly堅信
坚jiānstrong堅
坚守jiānshǒuto hold fast to堅守
坚实jiānshísolid堅實
坚果nut堅果
坚固jiāngùfirm堅固
坚硬jiānyìnghard堅硬
坚定不移unswerving堅定不移
坚持不懈jiānchíbùxièto persevere unremittingly (idiom); to keep going until the end堅持不懈
坚韧jiānrèntenacious堅韌
坚挺firm and upright堅挺
中坚core中堅
坚毅firm and persistent堅毅
坚不可摧invulnerable, indestructible, impregnable堅不可摧
坚称to claim堅稱
美利坚America美利堅
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 坚持 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 堅
It is pronounced as 'jiān'.
Yes, it can describe someone who is firm in their beliefs or resolutions.
Common phrases include 堅持 (jiānchí, to persist) and 堅定 (jiāndìng, resolute).
