韧 rèn tough
tough; strong
How to remember 韧: 韦 leather + 刃 knife edge = tough. Grandpa's old leather belt is so thick that even the knife edge barely scratches it, still tough after fifty years.
Component breakdown
韧 = 韦 leather + 刃 knife edge
- 韦 leather
- 刃 knife edge
Grandpa's old leather belt is so thick that even the knife edge barely scratches it, still tough after fifty years.
How it is used
- Tough and flexible - bends without breaking: 坚韧 (jiānrèn) tenacious/resilient, 韧性 (rènxìng) toughness, 柔韧 (róurèn) supple and strong.
- Praises resilience of both materials and character - 坚韧不拔 (jiānrèn-bùbá) indomitably persevering.
- Contrast 脆 (cuì) brittle; 韧 is the quality of leather or a determined spirit that flexes but won't snap.