生硬 shēngyìng stiff
stiff; harsh
How to remember 生硬: 生 life + 硬 firm = stiff.
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How it is used
- Stiff, forced, unnatural - 翻译很生硬 (fānyì hěn shēngyìng) the translation is clumsy and stilted; 态度生硬 (a brusque manner).
- Applies to language, manner, or transitions that feel rigid and unpolished, not smoothly natural.
- Compare 硬 (hard) physically; 生硬 is figurative awkwardness. Opposite: 自然 (zìrán, natural), 流畅 (liúchàng, fluent) - 笑得很自然 (xiào de hěn zìrán) smiles naturally.