Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Very strong, extremely robust, or exceptionally solid: Used to describe an object, structure, or material that possesses great physical strength, durability, or firmness, often to an extreme degree.
   • Very stubborn, extremely obstinate, or unyielding: Used to describe a person's character, attitude, or will as being exceptionally firm, inflexible, or difficult to change.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cái bàn này làm bằng gỗ kiền. (This table is made of very strong wood.)
  • Tính nó kiền lắm, khó mà thuyết phục được. (His character is very stubborn; it's hard to persuade him.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "kiền" is considered literary or somewhat archaic in modern Vietnamese. It is most commonly encountered in the fixed, idiomatic phrase "kiền như càn", which intensifies its meaning to "extremely strong" or "extremely stubborn."

Variants and Related Words

• Kiền cố (adj): Stubborn, obstinate. (Less common than "kiền" alone).
• Kiền như càn (idiomatic phrase): As hard as a grindstone; used to emphasize extreme hardness, strength, or stubbornness.
  • Lập trường của ông ấy kiền như càn. (His stance is as hard as a rock/unshakable.)

Synonyms

• Strong: Having great physical power or durability.
• Stubborn: Having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position.
• Obstinate: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action.
• Solid: Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid.

Related Idioms

• Kiền như càn: As hard as a grindstone; immovably strong or stubborn.
  • Hòn đá này kiền như càn. (This stone is extremely hard.)
  • Anh ta kiền như càn, chẳng nghe ai. (He is extremely stubborn and listens to no one.)

1. như càn