Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Hard; tough; rigid: Describes an object or material that does not easily bend, change shape, or yield to pressure.
   • Stiff; inflexible: Refers to a body part or object that lacks ease of movement or is not supple.
   • Firm; strong; resolute: Describes an attitude, argument, or person that is unwavering, determined, or difficult to challenge.
   • Competent; solid (colloquial): Indicates a person or thing that has reached a reliable or acceptable level of skill, quality, or quantity.
   • High; steep (colloquial): Describes a price, age, or number that is considered relatively high.
   • Salty; briny: Describes food, especially fish sauce or broth, that is excessively salty to the taste.
   • (Technical) Hard: Describes water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium salts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cái bàn này làm bằng gỗ rất cứng. (This table is made of very hard wood.)
  • Sau buổi tập, cơ bắp của tôi cảm thấy cứng. (After the workout, my muscles felt stiff.)
  • Anh ấy có lập trường rất cứng rắn về vấn đề này. (He has a very firm stance on this issue.)
  • Nó là một học sinh loại cứng. (He is a solid student.)
  • Giá cả ở đây cứng quá. (The prices here are too high.)
  • Nước mắm này hơi cứng. (This fish sauce is a bit too salty.)

Advanced Usage

• "cứng đầu": stubborn, obstinate.
  • Đứa bé cứng đầu không chịu nghe lời. (The stubborn child wouldn't listen.)
• "cứng miệng": to refuse to talk or confess; to be tight-lipped.
  • Tên tội phạm cứng miệng trước cảnh sát. (The criminal clammed up in front of the police.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cứng cáp (adj): sturdy, robust (often for health or build).
  • Ông ấy tuy già nhưng vẫn cứng cáp. (He is old but still sturdy.)
• Cứng nhắc (adj): rigid, inflexible (in behavior or rules).
  • Quy định cứng nhắc đó cần được thay đổi. (That inflexible regulation needs to be changed.)
• Cứng rắn (adj): firm, tough, resolute.
  • Nhà đàm phán cần một thái độ cứng rắn. (The negotiator needed a tough attitude.)

Synonyms

• Hard: not easily penetrated or broken.
• Stiff: not easily bent or moved.
• Firm: strong and unwavering.
• Rigid: unable to bend or be forced out of shape.
• Steep: (of a price) unreasonably high.

Related Idioms

• Cứng như đá / thép: As hard as rock/steel; very hard or stubborn.
  • Ý chí của cô ấy cứng như thép. (Her will is as hard as steel.)
• Cứng họng: To be left speechless, unable to argue back.
  • Bằng chứng khiến hắn cứng họng. (The evidence left him speechless.)

adj

1. Hard; tough; rigid