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倔强 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
倔强juéjiàngstubbornHSK 7, a, 22 strokes, rank #20154, Very Hard
倔强juéjiàngobstinateHSK 7, a, 22 strokes, rank #20154, Very Hard
倔强juéjiàngunbendingHSK 7, a, 22 strokes, rank #20154, Very Hard
juéjiàng(jue2jiang4)jue jiang T2
  1. 1stubborn
  2. 2obstinate
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March 24, 2026

倔强(倔強)juéjiàng(jue2jiang4)

The term 倔强 (jue2 jiang4) describes a person who is stubborn or obstinate, often refusing to change their opinions or actions despite pressure. It can have both positive connotations, such as determination, and negative ones, like inflexibility, depending on context.

Strokes22Frequency#20154DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being 倔强 may be seen as a sign of strength and perseverance, especially in traditional contexts where determination in the face of adversity is respected. This is often reflected in literature and sayings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a strong-willed donkey (the radical 倔 sounds like 'jue', which can remind you of 'jolt') standing firm against the wind, refusing to budge. This visual of the donkey's stubbornness connects to the meaning of 倔强, showing its unyielding nature.

Meanings of 倔强

juéjiàng(jue2jiang4)
1stubborn
2obstinate
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 倔强

倔强Simplified
倔強Traditional
22Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#20154Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 倔强

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Podcast: 倔强

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AI Study Notes for 倔强

Quick Contrast

固执 (gùzhí) - 倔强 (juéjiàng) often implies a positive determination, while 固执 (gùzhí) is more negatively connoted as mere stubbornness.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 倔强 with other similar adjectives like 固执 (gu4 zhi2), which specifically means 'stubborn' in a negative sense. 倔强 can sometimes be used in a more neutral or even positive context, so understanding the tone is crucial.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 倔强 connects to other words describing personality traits. Focus on how to use it in different contexts, especially in discussions about character and determination. Practicing sentences that contrast it with other traits will enhance understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes misuse 倔强 by applying it in contexts where a more neutral term would be appropriate, such as saying '我觉得他很倔强' (I think he is very stubborn) without considering the tone. A better approach might be '我觉得他的倔强是值得尊重的' (I think his stubbornness is commendable).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 倔强

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Component Characters

倔juècrabby
HSK 710 strokes亻
View full entry
强jiàngstubborn
HSK 412 strokes弓
View full entry

How to say stubborn in Chinese

“stubborn” in Chinese is倔强juéjiàng

The term 倔强 (jue2 jiang4) describes a person who is stubborn or obstinate, often refusing to change their opinions or actions despite pressure. It can have both positive connotations, such as determination, and negative ones, like inflexibility, depending on context.

When to use 倔强

Learners often confuse 倔强 with other similar adjectives like 固执 (gu4 zhi2), which specifically means 'stubborn' in a negative sense. 倔强 can sometimes be used in a more neutral or even positive context, so understanding the tone is crucial.

倔强 or something close to it

固执 (gùzhí) - 倔强 (juéjiàng) often implies a positive determination, while 固执 (gùzhí) is more negatively connoted as mere stubbornness.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes misuse 倔强 by applying it in contexts where a more neutral term would be appropriate, such as saying '我觉得他很倔强' (I think he is very stubborn) without considering the tone. A better approach might be '我觉得他的倔强是值得尊重的' (I think his stubbornness is commendable).

Write 倔强

倔
强

Practice writing 倔强 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 倔强

倔强 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高,not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

严肃、严谨、____的他同时又冷漠、多疑、敏感、不会变通。

Formal, exact and obstinate, he was also cold, suspicious, touchy and tactless.

Example Sentences for 倔强 (3)

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1
严肃、严谨、倔强的他同时又冷漠、多疑、敏感、不会变通。

yán sù、 、 yán、 jǐn 、 jué qiáng de tā tóng shí yòu、 lěng mò、 、 duō、 yí 、 mǐn gǎn。

Formal, exact and obstinate, he was also cold, suspicious, touchy and tactless.
2
难道你还不了解那个矮人的倔强 吗 ?

nán dào nǐ huán bù le jiě nà gè ǎi rén de jué qiáng?

Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?
3
阿丑甭着头,鼓着嘴,表示倔强不服.

ā chǒu béng zháo tóu, , gǔ zháo, zuǐ , biǎo shì jué qiáng.

Ah Chou cocked his head to one side and puffed out his cheeks in defiance.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 倔强

No, 倔强 can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on context. It may indicate a strong-willed nature in a positive light.

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