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毅然 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
毅然yìránfirmlyHSK 7, d, 27 strokes, rank #40457, Very Hard
毅然yìránresolutelyHSK 7, d, 27 strokes, rank #40457, Very Hard
毅然yìránwithout hesitationHSK 7, d, 27 strokes, rank #40457, Very Hard
yìrán(yi4ran2)yi ran T4
  1. 1firmly
  2. 2resolutely
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March 24, 2026

毅然yìrán(yi4ran2)

毅然 means to act firmly and resolutely, without hesitation or wavering. It conveys a sense of determination and decisiveness, often used in contexts where one must make a bold choice or stand firm in their beliefs.

Strokes27Frequency#40457DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, decisiveness is highly valued, particularly in leadership and personal responsibility. The term 毅然 reflects a cultural appreciation for strong character and the ability to take bold actions in the face of challenges.

Memory tip

Imagine a strong tree (毅) standing tall and unwavering (然) in a storm, representing a person who makes decisions with firmness. The character 毅 (yi) looks like a strong branch, while 然 (ran) suggests a natural flow, reminding you that being resolute is a natural strength.

Meanings of 毅然

yìrán(yi4ran2)
1firmly
2resolutely
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 毅然

毅然Simplified
27Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#40457Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 毅然

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Podcast: 毅然

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AI study notes for 毅然

Quick Contrast

果断 (guǒduàn) vs 毅然 (yìrán): use 毅然 when emphasizing a strong moral conviction or principle behind the decision, whereas 果断 focuses more on the decisiveness of the action itself.

Usage Notes

Avoid using 毅然 in overly casual situations, as it carries a formal tone. It's often paired with verbs to indicate decisive actions, such as 毅然决定 (decide resolutely). Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 毅然 connects with themes of determination found in other advanced vocabulary. Students should practice using it in sentences to express commitment and decision-making. Focus on its usage in formal contexts to master its nuance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 毅然 with 决定, using it incorrectly in contexts that require a straightforward decision-making term. For example, saying '我毅然决定' (I resolutely decide) is correct, but using it when simply stating '我决定' (I decide) can be overly dramatic.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 毅然

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Component characters

毅yìfirm and resolute
15 strokes殳
View full entry
然ráncorrect
12 strokes灬
View full entry

How to say firmly in Chinese

“firmly” in Chinese is毅然yìrán

毅然 means to act firmly and resolutely, without hesitation or wavering. It conveys a sense of determination and decisiveness, often used in contexts where one must make a bold choice or stand firm in their beliefs.

When to use 毅然

Avoid using 毅然 in overly casual situations, as it carries a formal tone. It's often paired with verbs to indicate decisive actions, such as 毅然决定 (decide resolutely). Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.

毅然 or something close to it

果断 (guǒduàn) vs 毅然 (yìrán): use 毅然 when emphasizing a strong moral conviction or principle behind the decision, whereas 果断 focuses more on the decisiveness of the action itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 毅然 with 决定, using it incorrectly in contexts that require a straightforward decision-making term. For example, saying '我毅然决定' (I resolutely decide) is correct, but using it when simply stating '我决定' (I decide) can be overly dramatic.

Write 毅然

毅
然

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

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Grammar patterns of 毅然

毅然 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. 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 1

Fill the gap

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

指挥将该作品情感上的____决然这一主旨充分表现了出来。

The conductor brought home the full thrust of the work's emotional resolution.

Example sentences for 毅然 (1)

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1
指挥将该作品情感上的毅然决然这一主旨充分表现了出来。

zhǐhuī jiāng gāi zuòpǐn qínggǎn shàng de yìrán jué rán zhè yī zhǔzhǐ chōngfèn biǎoxiàn le chūlái。

The conductor brought home the full thrust of the work's emotional resolution.

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Frequently asked questions about 毅然

While it can be used, it's more appropriate in formal or serious discussions rather than casual chats.

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