勉强 miǎnqiǎng to do with difficulty
to do with difficulty; to force somebody to do something; reluctant; barely enough
How to remember 勉强: 勉 to endeavor + 强 strong = to do with difficulty.
Characters
How it is used
- Several linked senses: to do something reluctantly/with difficulty - 勉强同意 (miǎnqiǎng tóngyì) agree grudgingly; barely enough - 勉强及格 (miǎnqiǎng jígé) barely pass.
- Also 'to force someone' - 别勉强他 (bié miǎnqiǎng tā) don't force him. And 'forced/unnatural' - 笑得很勉强 (xiào de hěn miǎnqiǎng) a forced smile.
- The thread is 'against natural inclination or with just-barely-sufficient means'. Very common in speech.