Very hard refers to both physical toughness and unwavering determination.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes physical hardness and strong will.
- Used for objects and people's character.
- Common in everyday spoken Chinese.
Overview
“很硬”是一个非常基础和常用的形容词短语，用来描述事物的物理属性或者人的内在品质。在物理层面，它表示物体具有很强的抵抗外力的能力，不容易被折断、压碎或变形。在比喻意义上，它用来形容人的性格、意志或态度非常坚定，不容易被说服或改变。
“很硬”通常直接用在名词前面或后面作为形容词使用。例如，可以形容具体的物体，如“这块石头很硬”；也可以形容抽象的概念，如“他的决心很硬”。在口语中，它非常普遍，表达直接且形象。
在描述物品时，常用于形容石头、金属、木材等材质的坚固程度，例如“这把椅子很硬，坐着不太舒服”。在描述人时，常用于形容人的性格，如“他这个人很硬，说一不二”；或者形容人的意志力，如“虽然困难重重，但他态度很硬，坚持了下来”。有时也用于形容食物的口感，如“这个苹果很硬，还没熟”。
“结实”表示牢固、结实耐用，常用于形容物品的质量好，不易损坏，也常用于形容人的身体健壮。“很硬”主要指物理硬度，与“结实”的耐用性侧重点不同。
“顽固”特指人的思想、态度或行为非常固执，不肯改变，带有贬义。“很硬”在形容人时，虽然也有固执的意思，但有时可以是中性或褒义，强调的是意志坚定。
“坚固”更侧重于结构上的牢固和稳定，强调不易损坏或倒塌，常用于形容建筑物、设备等。“很硬”则更侧重于材质本身的硬度或物理上的抗压性，也可以形容人的性格。
“强硬”通常用于形容态度、手段或立场非常坚决、不容置疑，带有一定的攻击性或对抗性，常用于政治、外交或谈判等场合。“很硬”在形容人时，可以包含“强硬”的意味，但“强硬”的语境更特定。
Examples
这块金属很硬，很难加工。
everydayThis piece of metal is very hard and difficult to process.
尽管面临巨大压力，他依然态度很硬，坚持自己的原则。
formalDespite facing immense pressure, he maintained a tough stance and stuck to his principles.
这个面包烤得太久了，有点儿很硬。
informalThis bread is overbaked, it's a bit hard.
研究表明，某些特定合金的硬度很高，远超普通钢材。
academicResearch indicates that certain specific alloys possess very high hardness, far exceeding that of ordinary steel.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
硬着头皮
to brace oneself and do sth. unpleasant
硬币
coin
硬道理
ironclad logic; undeniable truth
Often Confused With
'很软' is the direct antonym of '很硬', meaning 'very soft'. It describes objects that are easily deformed or people with a yielding personality.
'坚硬' is a more formal and literary synonym for 'very hard', often used to describe materials with high resistance to pressure or impact. '很硬' is more common in spoken language.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The phrase '很硬' is very common in everyday spoken Chinese. While it can be used in formal contexts, especially when describing physical properties, its application to personality traits might be considered less formal than alternatives like '坚定' (jiāndìng - firm) or '刚毅' (gāngyì - resolute). Be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly blunt or stubborn.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse '很硬' to describe people's character, potentially sounding too blunt. For positive traits like determination, '坚定' or '有毅力' might be more appropriate. Also, confusing its physical meaning with abstract meanings can lead to misunderstandings.
Tips
Think of a tough material
Imagine a rock or steel. '很硬' describes that kind of resistance to force or pressure.
Be careful with food descriptions
Saying food is '很硬' usually implies it's unripe or unpleasant to eat. Use with caution!
Resilience and Determination
In Chinese culture, '很硬' when applied to people can signify admirable resilience and an unwillingness to yield to adversity.
Word Origin
The word '硬' (yìng) has been used for a very long time in Chinese to denote hardness. Its character visually relates to metal or strong materials. '很' (hěn) is a common adverb meaning 'very', intensifying the adjective '硬'.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, while stubbornness can be seen negatively, an '硬' (hard/firm) spirit, especially in the face of adversity or injustice, is often admired as a sign of integrity and strength of character.
Memory Tip
Picture a very hard object, like a diamond ('钻石'). '很硬' means something has that level of resistance. For people, think of someone who 'stands firm' like a sturdy tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“坚硬”是更正式的书面语，强调的是物理上的硬度，通常形容材质。 “很硬”更口语化，除了形容物理硬度，还可以形容人的性格或态度。
用“很硬”形容食物时，通常表示食物还没熟透或者口感不好，比如“这个馒头很硬”。所以，在大多数情况下，这可能不是一个积极的评价。
是的，“很硬”可以用来形容抽象事物，比如人的决心、态度、原则等，表示坚定不移，不容易改变。
这取决于语境。“很硬”形容物理硬度是中性的。形容人时，如果强调的是意志坚定、原则性强，可以是褒义；如果强调的是固执、不通情理，则偏向贬义。
Test Yourself
这块石头太____，我们搬不动。
句意是石头不易搬动，说明其物理性质是硬的，所以选择“很硬”。
面对对手的压力，他表现得很____，没有退让。
句意是他在压力下没有退让，表现出坚定的态度，因此“很强硬”最符合语境。虽然“很硬”也可以形容性格，但“强硬”在此处更准确地描述了面对压力的态度。
他 / 态度 / 很硬 / 面对 / 批评
这是一个主谓宾结构，描述了“他”在“面对批评”时的“态度”是“很硬”的。
Score: /3
Summary
Very hard refers to both physical toughness and unwavering determination.
- Describes physical hardness and strong will.
- Used for objects and people's character.
- Common in everyday spoken Chinese.
Think of a tough material
Imagine a rock or steel. '很硬' describes that kind of resistance to force or pressure.
Be careful with food descriptions
Saying food is '很硬' usually implies it's unripe or unpleasant to eat. Use with caution!
Resilience and Determination
In Chinese culture, '很硬' when applied to people can signify admirable resilience and an unwillingness to yield to adversity.
Examples
4 of 4这块金属很硬，很难加工。
This piece of metal is very hard and difficult to process.
尽管面临巨大压力，他依然态度很硬，坚持自己的原则。
Despite facing immense pressure, he maintained a tough stance and stuck to his principles.
这个面包烤得太久了，有点儿很硬。
This bread is overbaked, it's a bit hard.
研究表明，某些特定合金的硬度很高，远超普通钢材。
Research indicates that certain specific alloys possess very high hardness, far exceeding that of ordinary steel.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
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一斤
B1Half a kilogram; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 500g).
一两
B1Fifty grams; a Chinese unit of weight (approx. 50g).
AA制
A2To split the bill; go Dutch.
一袋
B1A bag of.
一口
B1A mouthful; a bite; a small amount (of food or drink).
少一点儿
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多一点儿
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一瓶
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一碗
B1Measure word for a bowl of food.
一盒
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