adjective / verb HSK 2
Traditional 強
strong · powerful · better · to force · to strengthen
Meaning
强 is a fundamental Chinese word meaning 'strong' or 'powerful'. It can describe physical strength, mental fortitude, ability, or intensity. As a verb, it means to force or compel someone to do something (usually pronounced qiǎng in this sense).
Usage
This character has multiple pronunciations: qiáng (strong), qiǎng (to force), and jiàng (stubborn). In everyday speech, qiáng is most common for describing strength or superiority. Often used in comparisons (比 bǐ) to indicate something is stronger or better than something else. Very productive in compound words.
Examples
- 01他的中文比我强多了。.His Chinese is much better than mine.
- 02这个队很强，我们很难赢。, .This team is very strong, it will be hard for us to win.
Common collocations
- 强大powerful, strong
- 坚强strong-willed, resilient
- 强烈intense, strong
- 比...强...stronger/better than...
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 強 shows a bow (弓) with added strokes suggesting force and tension, representing strength and power.