Chinese–EnglishWith examples

狠

hěn · hen

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 6

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. ruthless; fierce; ferocious
  2. determined; resolute
  3. to harden (one's heart)
  4. old variant of 很 (hěn)
Embed this word

Put this word on your class page or blog. Keep the link under the frame, so people can find the word. More widgets

In a conversation

0:27 cartoon

Hard on yourself

  1. Dengdeng

    亮亮(liàngliàng)，你(nǐ)每天(měitiān)早上(zǎoshang)五点(wǔdiǎn)起床(qǐchuáng)跑步(pǎobù)？

    Liangliang, you get up at five every morning to run?

  2. Liangliang

    对(duì)，我(wǒ)要(yào)参加(cānjiā)马拉松(mǎlāsōng)。我(wǒ)对(duì)自己(zìjǐ)很(hěn)狠(hěn)。

    Yes, I am running a marathon. I am very tough on myself.

  3. Dengdeng

    你(nǐ)对(duì)自己(zìjǐ)太(tài)狠(hěn)了(le)，也(yě)要(yào)休息(xiūxi)。

    You are too tough on yourself. You need rest too.

  4. Liangliang

    我(wǒ)对(duì)睡觉(shuìjiào)也(yě)很(hěn)狠(hěn)，晚上(wǎnshang)九点(jiǔdiǎn)就(jiù)睡(shuì)。

    I am tough about sleep too. I go to bed at nine.

  5. Dengdeng

    你(nǐ)这么(zhème)狠(hěn)，我(wǒ)真(zhēn)佩服(pèifú)你(nǐ)。

    You are so tough. I really admire you.

  6. Liangliang

    其实(qíshí)我(wǒ)昨晚(zuówǎn)熬夜(áoyè)看(kàn)球(qiú)，三点(sāndiǎn)才(cái)睡(shuì)。

    Actually last night I stayed up for the match and only slept at three.

Tap a word for its meaning in this line. The characters’ voices are computer-generated.

In a sentence

2 examples
01

他(tā)对(duì)自(zì)己(jǐ)很(hěn)狠(hěn)，每(měi)天(tiān)坚(jiān)持(chí)跑(pǎo)十(shí)公(gōng)里(lǐ)。

He is very hard on himself, insisting on running ten kilometers every day.

02

老(lǎo)板(bǎn)狠(hěn)批(pī)了(le)那(nà)个(ge)迟(chí)到(dào)的(de)员(yuán)工(gōng)。

The boss sharply criticized the employee who was late.

Sources & licenses

How to write

Stroke order & practice

Choose a character to watch its strokes or trace it yourself.

Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

Browse all wordsExplore words in context