勉强 (miǎnqiǎng) · reluctantly

勉强 (miǎnqiǎng) means “reluctantly; barely; to force”. It is written with 2 characters: 勉 (to endeavor) + 强 (strong). It is an old HSK 6 word (HSK 2.0).

How 勉强 is built

The characters

勉 miǎn · to endeavor

What 勉 is made of

免miǎn — to spare
- ⺈ — top shape
- 口kǒu — mouth
  - 冂 — frame
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
- 儿ér — child
  - 丿 — falling stroke
  - 乚 — hook stroke
力lì — strength
- 丿 — falling stroke

强 qiáng · strong

What 强 is made of

弓gōng — bow
虽suī — although
- 口kǒu — mouth
  - 冂 — frame
  - 一 — horizontal stroke
- 虫chóng — insect
  - 中zhōng — central

Origin hint: 弓 gives the meaning, 虫 gives the sound. (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

Example sentences

如果你不想去，我不勉强你。Rúguǒ nǐ bù xiǎng qù, wǒ bù miǎnqiǎng nǐ.If you don't want to go, I won't force you.

他勉强通过了考试。Tā miǎnqiǎng tōngguò le kǎoshì.He barely passed the exam.

Questions about 勉强

What does 勉强 mean?

勉强 (miǎnqiǎng) means “reluctantly; barely; to force”.

How do you pronounce 勉强?

勉强 is pronounced miǎnqiǎng.

Which HSK level is 勉强?

勉强 is in Old HSK 6.

Related words

Learn 勉强 with its group

It is part of Old HSK 6 · Group 126: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

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