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坚守 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
坚守jiānshǒuto hold fast toHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #8949, Very Hard
坚守jiānshǒuto stick toHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #8949, Very Hard
jiānshǒu(jian1shou3)jian shou T1
  1. 1to hold fast to
  2. 2to stick to
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March 24, 2026

坚守(堅守)jiānshǒu(jian1shou3)

坚守 (jiān shǒu) means to hold fast to something or to stick to a principle, belief, or position despite challenges. It is commonly used in contexts involving perseverance, loyalty, or commitment, suggesting a strong resolve to not waver in one's stance.

Strokes13Frequency#8949DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 坚守 is often associated with Confucian values of loyalty and integrity, emphasizing the importance of adhering to one's principles. This concept is particularly relevant in business and personal relationships, where trust and commitment are highly valued.

Memory tip

Imagine a strong fortress (坚) that stands firm against a storm (守). The character 坚 resembles a strong stone (the radical indicating strength), while 守 suggests guarding something valuable. Together, they evoke the image of steadfastness in the face of adversity.

Meanings of 坚守

jiānshǒu(jian1shou3)
1to hold fast to
2to stick to
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About 坚守

坚守Simplified
堅守Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 坚守

Quick Contrast

坚持 (jiānchí) vs 坚守 (jiānshǒu): Use 坚持 when emphasizing the act of continuing or persisting in an action, while 坚守 focuses more on holding firm to a belief or position.

Usage Notes

This expression is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but is especially prevalent in discussions about principles or ethics. A common mistake is using it in a casual context where '坚持' (jiānchí) might be more appropriate for persistence rather than strict adherence. Be mindful of the tone; it should be pronounced clearly to convey its strong meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 坚守 is not specifically listed in HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners at HSK 5 and above due to its abstract meaning. Students should focus on understanding similar terms like 坚定 (jiāndìng) and 持续 (chíxù) to expand their vocabulary related to commitment and continuity.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 坚守 with 坚持, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我坚守我的努力' (wǒ jiān shǒu wǒ de nǔlì) is incorrect; it should be '我坚持我的努力' (wǒ jiānchí wǒ de nǔlì) to indicate persistence in efforts.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 坚守

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Component characters

坚jiānstrong
7 strokes土
View full entry
守shǒuto guard
HSK 56 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say to hold fast to in Chinese

“to hold fast to” in Chinese is坚守jiānshǒu

坚守 (jiān shǒu) means to hold fast to something or to stick to a principle, belief, or position despite challenges. It is commonly used in contexts involving perseverance, loyalty, or commitment, suggesting a strong resolve to not waver in one's stance.

When to use 坚守

This expression is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but is especially prevalent in discussions about principles or ethics. A common mistake is using it in a casual context where '坚持' (jiānchí) might be more appropriate for persistence rather than strict adherence. Be mindful of the tone; it should be pronounced clearly to convey its strong meaning.

坚守 or something close to it

坚持 (jiānchí) vs 坚守 (jiānshǒu): Use 坚持 when emphasizing the act of continuing or persisting in an action, while 坚守 focuses more on holding firm to a belief or position.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 坚守 with 坚持, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我坚守我的努力' (wǒ jiān shǒu wǒ de nǔlì) is incorrect; it should be '我坚持我的努力' (wǒ jiānchí wǒ de nǔlì) to indicate persistence in efforts.

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坚
守

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Frequently asked questions about 坚守

Yes, it can be used in both formal speeches and informal discussions when talking about sticking to one's beliefs or commitments.

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