gin1 ngai6堅毅坚毅
Jyutpinggin1 ngai6
Yalegīn ngaih
Definition
Firm, persistent, and unyielding in character or action.
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How it's used
Describes a deep, internal quality of character rather than just a temporary mood. It is often used to praise someone for their long term commitment to a difficult goal. While it shares a similar meaning to 堅持, the latter is more often used for specific actions or tasks, whereas 堅毅 focuses on the person's inherent strength of will.
Examples
He is very persistent in his work and won't give up no matter how hard it is.
min6面deoi3對gam3咁daai6大aat3壓lik6力，nei5你zung6仲ho2可ji5以bou2保ci4持gin1堅ngai6毅，zan1真hai6係hou2好naan4難dak1得。
It is truly remarkable that you can remain so firm and persistent under such pressure.
Related words
Common phrases
persistent and unyielding
spirit of perseverance
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 固執, which carries a negative connotation of being stubborn or narrow minded. 堅毅 is a positive trait, while 固執 implies an unwillingness to listen to reason or change one's mind despite being wrong.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
