qiángdà: 强大 - Powerful, Strong, Mighty

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 强大 (qiángdà), the essential Chinese adjective for “powerful,” “strong,” or “mighty.” This guide explores how 强大 is used to describe not just the strength of countries and economies, but also the power of technology and a person's inner resilience. Learn its cultural significance in modern China, see practical examples, and understand the key difference between 强大 (qiángdà) and 厉害 (lìhai) to speak more like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiáng dà
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: Describes something as powerful, mighty, strong, or formidable, typically on a large scale.
• In a Nutshell: 强大 (qiángdà) goes beyond simple physical strength. Think of it as “strong and big.” It describes a comprehensive, substantial power—the kind possessed by a great nation, a leading tech company, a formidable army, or even a person with unbreakable willpower. It conveys a sense of scale, influence, and significance.

• 强 (qiáng): This character means “strong” or “powerful.” Its radical is 弓 (gōng), meaning “bow.” A strong bow requires great strength to draw, which is the core idea of this character.
• 大 (dà): This character is a pictogram of a person with their arms stretched wide, meaning “big,” “large,” or “great.”
• Together (强大): The combination of “strong” (强) and “big” (大) creates a word that means “mighty” or “formidable.” It's a strength that is also grand in scale and influence.

In Chinese culture, particularly in the modern era, 强大 (qiángdà) is a word loaded with national aspiration. The concept of building a “powerful nation” (建设一个强大的国家 - jiànshè yīgè qiángdà de guójiā) is a cornerstone of public discourse and national identity. It refers to a comprehensive strength encompassing economic prosperity, technological innovation, military capability, and international influence. This can be contrasted with the Western concept of “power,” which can sometimes carry a negative connotation of domination or coercion (“power-hungry”). While 强大 can describe a powerful adversary, its aspirational use in China is overwhelmingly positive. It's seen as a prerequisite for national sovereignty, respect on the world stage, and achieving the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” (中华民族的伟大复兴 - Zhōnghuá mínzú de wěidà fùxīng). It's less about individual dominance and more about collective, systemic strength and resilience.

强大 (qiángdà) is a versatile adjective used in both formal and informal contexts, though it always carries a sense of significant scale.

• Countries and Economies: This is its most common usage. It describes a nation's overall strength.
  • “China's economy is very powerful.”
• Organizations and Companies: It's used to describe the capability or influence of a large entity.
  • “This tech company's R&D department is very formidable.”
• Abstract Concepts: It can describe intangible forces like influence, logic, or a person's inner world.
  • “She has a very strong heart/is mentally very strong.”
• Technology and Features: It's frequently used to praise the capabilities of a product.
  • “The new phone's camera function is incredibly powerful.”

• Example 1:
  • 中国是一个日益强大的国家。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó shì yīgè rìyì qiángdà de guójiā.
  • English: China is an increasingly powerful country.
  • Analysis: A very common and standard use of 强大 to describe a nation's growing influence and strength on the world stage.
• Example 2:
  • 这个软件的功能非常强大，可以处理各种任务。
  • Pinyin: Zhège ruǎnjiàn de gōngnéng fēicháng qiángdà, kěyǐ chǔlǐ gèzhǒng rènwù.
  • English: This software's functions are extremely powerful; it can handle all kinds of tasks.
  • Analysis: Highlights how 强大 is used in the tech world to mean “feature-rich” or “highly capable.”
• Example 3:
  • 面对困难，我们需要一颗强大的内心。
  • Pinyin: Miànduì kùnnán, wǒmen xūyào yī kē qiángdà de nèixīn.
  • English: When facing difficulties, we need a strong heart (to be mentally strong).
  • Analysis: This shows 强大 describing inner, psychological strength and resilience, a very common and important usage.
• Example 4:
  • 他们拥有一支强大的军队。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen yōngyǒu yī zhī qiángdà de jūnduì.
  • English: They possess a formidable army.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 强大 to describe military might.
• Example 5:
  • 我们的对手很强大，但我们有信心赢。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de duìshǒu hěn qiángdà, dàn wǒmen yǒu xìnxīn yíng.
  • English: Our opponent is very strong, but we have the confidence to win.
  • Analysis: Here, 强大 describes a competitor or adversary, acknowledging their strength without implying negativity.
• Example 6:
  • 科技公司的强大实力体现在其创新能力上。
  • Pinyin: Kējì gōngsī de qiángdà shílì tǐxiàn zài qí chuàngxīn nénglì shàng.
  • English: The powerful strength of a tech company is reflected in its innovation capability.
  • Analysis: Shows 强大 modifying another word for strength, 实力 (shílì), to emphasize its scale.
• Example 7:
  • 这部电影背后有强大的资本支持。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng bèihòu yǒu qiángdà de zīběn zhīchí.
  • English: This movie has strong financial backing.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates how 强大 can refer to financial power or resources.
• Example 8:
  • 舆论的压力是强大的。
  • Pinyin: Yúlùn de yālì shì qiángdà de.
  • English: The pressure of public opinion is powerful.
  • Analysis: An example of 强大 describing an abstract force.
• Example 9:
  • 他的逻辑非常强大，没人能反驳他。
  • Pinyin: Tā de luójí fēicháng qiángdà, méi rén néng fǎnbó tā.
  • English: His logic is very powerful; no one can refute him.
  • Analysis: Shows 强大 used to describe intellectual or argumentative force.
• Example 10:
  • 一个国家想要强大起来，教育是关键。
  • Pinyin: Yīgè guójiā xiǎngyào qiángdà qǐlái, jiàoyù shì guānjiàn.
  • English: If a country wants to become strong, education is key.
  • Analysis: The structure 强大起来 (qiángdà qǐlái) means “to become strong/powerful,” functioning almost like a verb phrase.

• 强大 (qiángdà) vs. 厉害 (lìhai): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 强大 (qiángdà): More formal. Describes large-scale, substantive power. Use it for countries, armies, economies, a person's inner will, or a complex system's capability. You would say 中国很强大 (China is very powerful).
  • 厉害 (lìhai): More colloquial. Means “awesome,” “cool,” “fierce,” or “severe.” Use it for a person's specific skill, the intensity of a storm, or a person's impressive ability. You would say 你好厉害! (You're so awesome!). You would not say “中国很厉害” to mean “China is a powerful country”; it sounds too casual and imprecise.
• Mistake: Using 强大 for physical strength.
  • Incorrect: 他很强大。 (when you mean he has big muscles)
  • Correct: 他很强壮 (tā hěn qiángzhuàng).
  • Explanation: 强壮 (qiángzhuàng) means physically strong, robust, or sturdy. You use 强大 to describe a person only when referring to their influence, willpower, or overall capability (e.g., a powerful CEO), not their biceps.

• 强壮 (qiángzhuàng) - Physically strong, robust. Describes the strength of a body.
• 厉害 (lìhai) - A colloquial term for “awesome,” “fierce,” or “severe.” Describes a person's skill or the intensity of a situation.
• 实力 (shílì) - “Actual strength” or “capability.” A noun often used with 强大 (e.g., 实力强大 - to have powerful capabilities).
• 力量 (lìliàng) - The noun for “strength,” “power,” or “force.” You can have 强大的力量 (powerful strength).
• 强国 (qiángguó) - A powerful nation, a superpower.
• 弱小 (ruòxiǎo) - The direct antonym: “weak and small.”
• 有力 (yǒulì) - “Forceful” or “potent.” Used for things like arguments, evidence, or a punch (e.g., 有力的证据 - powerful evidence). It's about direct, applied force.
• 强盛 (qiángshèng) - “Powerful and prosperous.” Often used to describe a nation or dynasty at its peak.