Chinese Character: 刚
1. Character Basics
Radical: 刂 (dāo, knife)
Stroke Count: 6
Structure: Left-right structure, with 冈 (gāng, ridge) on the left and 刂 (knife) on the right
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gāng
Tone: First tone (ā)
3. Meaning
Core Meaning: Just; firm; strong; rigid
Detailed Meanings:
- Just; exactly; precisely
- Firm; strong; unyielding
- Hard; rigid; inflexible
- Just now; a moment ago
- Only; barely
4. Common Words
- 刚才 (gāngcái) - Just now
他刚才还在这里。 (Tā gāngcái hái zài zhèlǐ.) - He was here just now.
- 刚刚 (gānggāng) - Just; exactly
我刚刚吃完早饭。 (Wǒ gānggāng chīwán zǎofàn.) - I just finished breakfast.
- 刚强 (gāngqiáng) - Strong; firm; unyielding
他性格刚强，从不轻易放弃。 (Tā xìnggé gāngqiáng, cóng bù qīngyì fàngqì.) - He has a strong character and never gives up easily.
- 刚好 (gānghǎo) - Just right; exactly
这件衣服我穿刚好合身。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu wǒ chuān gānghǎo héshēn.) - This clothes fits me just right.
- 刚刚开始 (gānggāng kāishǐ) - Just beginning
我们的计划刚刚开始实施。 (Wǒmen de jìhuà gānggāng kāishǐ shíshī.) - Our plan is just beginning to be implemented.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Can be used as an adjective, adverb, or noun
Usage Patterns:
- As an adverb: Indicates recent time or exactness
刚+时间词: 刚刚 (just now), 刚才 (a moment ago)
刚+动词: 刚到 (just arrived), 刚完成 (just finished)
- As an adjective: Describes something or someone as firm, strong, or rigid
性格刚 (strong character), 态度刚硬 (firm attitude)
- Common collocations: 刚刚 (just), 刚才 (just now), 刚强 (strong), 刚好 (just right)
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character "刚" (gāng) carries significant cultural meaning and is often associated with positive qualities.
Key Cultural Aspects:
- Confucian Values: The concept of "刚" is valued in Confucian philosophy, representing moral strength, integrity, and the ability to stand firm in one's beliefs.
- Yin-Yang Balance: In traditional Chinese philosophy, "刚" (firmness) is considered the yang aspect, which should be balanced with "柔" (softness), the yin aspect. The ideal is to have "刚柔并济" (gāngróu bìng jì) - combining firmness with flexibility.
- Literary Symbolism: Classical Chinese literature often uses "刚" to describe heroes or virtuous people who possess strong moral character.
- Idioms and Proverbs: Many Chinese idioms incorporate "刚", such as "刚正不阿" (gāngzhèng bù ē) - upright and unyielding, and "外柔内刚" (wàiróu nèigāng) - soft on the outside but firm on the inside.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
中文: 他刚从北京回来。
Pinyin: Tā gāng cóng Běijīng huílái.
English: He just came back from Beijing.
Example 2:
中文: 这位老人性格刚强，令人敬佩。
Pinyin: Zhè wèi lǎorén xìnggé gāngqiáng, lìng rén jìngpèi.
English: This elderly person has a strong character that commands respect.
Example 3:
中文: 现在的温度刚好，不冷不热。
Pinyin: Xiànzài de wēndù gānghǎo, bù lěng bù rè.
English: The temperature is just right now, neither cold nor hot.
8. Memory Tips
1. Component Breakdown: The character 刚 (gāng) consists of 冈 (gāng, ridge) on the left and 刂 (dāo, knife) on the right. Think of it as "a knife cutting through a ridge" - representing strength and firmness.
2. Visual Association: Imagine the 刂 (knife) part as something sharp and strong, which aligns with the character's meaning of firmness and strength.
3. Word Family: Learn related words together to reinforce memory:
- 刚才 (gāngcái) - just now
- 刚刚 (gānggāng) - just
- 刚强 (gāngqiáng) - strong
- 刚好 (gānghǎo) - just right
4. Memory Phrase: "刚有力量，刚是坚强" (Gāng yǒu lìliang, gāng shì jiānqiáng) - "刚 has strength, 刚 means strong." This phrase helps remember both the character and its core meanings.