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March 24, 2026
坚(堅)jiān(jian1)
The character 坚 (jiān) conveys the idea of strength and solidity. It is commonly used to describe objects that are physically firm or people who are resolute in their beliefs and actions. The word often appears in contexts relating to determination and stability.
Strokes7Radical土Frequency#8840DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 坚 is often associated with traditional virtues like resilience and perseverance, especially in the context of facing adversity. This aligns with the value placed on hard work and determination in Chinese society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a solid rock (坚) standing firm against the wind. The left part of the character, the radical 土 (tǔ), means earth or ground, symbolizing stability, while the right part means to remain steadfast. Visualize a determined person standing on this rock, unyielding to any pressure.
Meanings of 坚
jiān(jian1)
1strong
2solid
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 坚
坚Simplified
堅Traditional
7Strokes
土Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#8840Frequency Rank
Podcast: 坚
Podcast: 坚
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AI Study Notes for 坚
Quick Contrast
坚 (jiān) vs 固 (gù) — use 坚 for emotional or moral strength, while 固 emphasizes physical firmness or stability.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a solid rock (坚) standing firm against the wind. The left part of the character, the radical 土 (tǔ), means earth or ground, symbolizing stability, while the right part means to remain steadfast. Visualize a determined person standing on this rock, unyielding to any pressure.
Usage Notes
This character is versatile but often appears in more formal contexts when describing principles or personal qualities. Learners might confuse 坚 with other similar-sounding characters like 间 (jiān, meaning 'between'), so pay attention to pronunciation. Common collocations include 坚持 (jiānchí, to persist) and 坚定 (jiāndìng, resolute).
HSK Study Tips
While 坚 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners at the advanced level. Focus on combining it with other words to form phrases, especially those related to personal resolve, such as 坚持自己的信念 (stick to one's beliefs).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 坚 is often associated with traditional virtues like resilience and perseverance, especially in the context of facing adversity. This aligns with the value placed on hard work and determination in Chinese society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 坚 with the similar-sounding characters like 检 (jiǎn, to check) or 间 (jiān, between). A common mistake is using 坚 in casual contexts where a simpler word like 强 would suffice. Correct usage involves using 坚 in descriptions of strength or determination.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 坚
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Grammar Patterns of 坚
坚 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
5
针对他们各人不同的需要挑选柔软、软硬适中或者坚硬的床垫。
zhēn duì tā mén gè rén bù tóng de xū yào tiāo xuǎn róu ruǎn、 、 ruǎn yìng shì zhōng huò zhě jiān yìng de chuáng。
Choose a soft, medium or firm mattress to suit their individual needs.
6
你要坚定不移地相信自己的能力。
nǐ yào jiān dìng bù yí dì xiāng xìn zì jǐ de néng lì。
You need an undying belief in your own ability.
7
他们坚决要求你立即离开。
tā mén jiān jué yào qiú nǐ lì jí lí kāi。
The men are very insistent that you leave right away.
8
科尔曼坚称他是无辜的。
kē ěr màn jiān chēng tā shì wú gū de。
Coleman has never wavered in his claim that he is innocent.
9
他领受了坚振礼，成为英国国教会的一员。
tā lǐng shòu le jiān zhèn lǐ， ， chéng wéi yīng guó guó jiào huì de yī。
He was confirmed as a member of the Church of England.
10
这使我更加坚定了不做修女的决心。
zhè shǐ wǒ gēng jiā jiān dìng le bù zuò xiū nǚ de jué xīn。
It has confirmed me in my decision not to become a nun.
Cultural Notes for 坚
💡Did you know?
In Chinese philosophy, the concept of 坚 (jiān) is often associated with strength of character and moral integrity. It reflects the ideal of being unyielding in one's principles.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being 坚 is often associated with traditional virtues like resilience and perseverance, especially in the context of facing adversity. This aligns with the value placed on hard work and determination in Chinese society.
📜Proverb
A common Chinese proverb states: '坚韧不拔' (jiān rèn bù bá), meaning to be resilient and unwavering, often used to encourage perseverance.
Word Family of 坚
Compounds3
铿keng1to strike, to beat; gong, resounding noise
鲣jian1skipjack, bonito
悭qian1miserly, stingy, thrifty
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 铿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 坚
Synonyms for 坚 (jiān) include 固 (gù), which means firm or solid, and 强 (qiáng), which means strong or powerful. These words can often be used interchangeably, depending on the context.
坚 is pronounced as 'jiān' in Mandarin. The tone is the first tone, which is high and level. You can listen to audio examples online to practice the pronunciation.
坚 (jiān) means strong, solid, firm, or unyielding. It is often used to describe something that has a sturdy quality or a person who is resolute in their beliefs or actions.
You can use 坚 (jiān) in sentences like '他的意志很坚' (tā de yìzhì hěn jiān), which means 'His will is very strong.' It can also describe objects, for example, '这块石头很坚' (zhè kuài shítou hěn jiān), meaning 'This stone is very solid.'
You might hear 坚 used when discussing someone's determination, such as in 坚持学习 (persist in studying) or 坚定的信仰 (firm beliefs).
Yes, synonyms include 固 (gù, firm) and 强 (qiáng, strong), but each has its own nuances.
While it primarily describes physical strength or resolve, it can also metaphorically describe a person's emotional fortitude.
