Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zhízhuó: 执着 - Persistent, Stubborn, Attached ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zhízhuó, 执着, persistent in Chinese, stubborn in Chinese, unyielding, attachment, Chinese word for perseverance, what does zhizhuo mean, fixated on, adamant, Chinese culture, Buddhism. * **Summary:** `执着 (zhízhuó)` is a powerful and nuanced Chinese term describing a deep, unyielding persistence or attachment to a goal, idea, or person. With roots in Buddhist philosophy, it carries a dual meaning: it can be a celebrated virtue, signifying admirable perseverance and dedication (like an artist perfecting their craft), or it can be a flaw, indicating a stubborn, unhealthy fixation or an inability to let go. Understanding `执着` is key to grasping the Chinese perspective on determination, wisdom, and emotional attachment. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhízhuó * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To be persistent, unyielding, or stubbornly attached to something. * **In a Nutshell:** `执着 (zhízhuó)` goes beyond simply "trying hard." It describes a state of mind where you are mentally and emotionally "gripped" by something. This can be positive, like a scientist's relentless pursuit of a cure. It can also be negative, like someone who refuses to accept the end of a relationship. The core feeling is one of not being able to—or refusing to—let go. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **执 (zhí):** This character's original meaning is to hold, to grasp, or to seize. Picture a hand firmly holding onto an object. It implies control and a firm grip. * **着 (zhuó):** While this character has many modern uses (like the particle `zhe`), in this context, it relates to its classical meaning of "to attach," "to touch," or "to be connected to." * Together, `执着 (zhízhuó)` creates a vivid image of "firmly grasping and being attached to" something, perfectly capturing the idea of a mental or emotional state of being unable to detach. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **Buddhist Origins:** The term `执着` is deeply rooted in Buddhism. In Buddhist teachings, `执着` refers to the attachment to worldly phenomena, desires, and the ego, which is considered a primary source of suffering (`苦, kǔ`). The ideal state is to let go of these attachments to achieve enlightenment. This philosophical origin is why `执着` can carry a cautionary, slightly negative undertone, implying a lack of wisdom or an inability to see the bigger picture. * **Modern Virtue:** In contemporary China, especially in the contexts of career, academics, and personal goals, `执着` has been largely re-framed as a virtue. It is celebrated as the spirit of determination and unyielding effort required to succeed in a competitive society. An entrepreneur who works tirelessly is admired for their `执着`. * **Comparison to "Perseverance" vs. "Obsession":** In Western culture, "perseverance" is almost universally positive, while "obsession" is negative. `执着` uniquely occupies the space between them. A Chinese person might advise a friend, "你别太执着了 (nǐ bié tài zhízhuó le)," meaning "Don't be so stubborn/fixated on it." This isn't just calling them stubborn; it's often a gentle warning that their attachment is causing them unnecessary pain, echoing the term's Buddhist roots. The wisdom lies in knowing when persistence is a virtue and when it becomes a harmful fixation. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `执着` is a versatile term used in various situations, and its connotation depends heavily on the context. * **As an Admirable Quality (Positive):** When praising someone's dedication to a worthy goal, `执着` is a high compliment. It's often used for artists, scientists, scholars, and entrepreneurs. * `他对科学研究非常**执着**。` (He is very persistent in his scientific research.) * **As Stubbornness or Fixation (Negative):** In personal relationships or arguments, `执着` describes an unhealthy and stubborn refusal to change one's mind or let something go. * `分手都一年了，他还在**执着**什么？` (It's been a year since the breakup, what is he still hung up on?) * **As a Neutral Description:** It can simply be used to describe someone's personality trait without strong judgment. * `他是一个很**执着**的人，认定的事就不会改变。` (He is a very determined person; once he decides on something, he won't change.) ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 科学家们对真理的**执着**追求，推动了社会的进步。 * Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen duì zhēnlǐ de **zhízhuó** zhuīqiú, tuīdòngle shèhuì de jìnbù. * English: The scientists' persistent pursuit of truth has promoted the progress of society. * Analysis: This is a highly positive use of the word, framing `执着` as a noble quality essential for scientific discovery. * **Example 2:** * 你为什么对这个小问题这么**执着**？放手吧。 * Pinyin: Nǐ wèishéme duì zhège xiǎo wèntí zhème **zhízhuó**? Fàngshǒu ba. * English: Why are you so fixated on this minor issue? Just let it go. * Analysis: Here, `执着` is clearly negative, synonymous with "being hung up on" or "stubbornly fixated." The advice `放手吧 (fàngshǒu ba)`—let it go—is the direct antidote. * **Example 3:** * 他对她的爱很**执着**，十年了都没有改变。 * Pinyin: Tā duì tā de ài hěn **zhízhuó**, shí nián le dōu méiyǒu gǎibiàn. * English: His love for her is very steadfast; it hasn't changed in ten years. * Analysis: This context is ambiguous and depends on the listener's perspective. It could be seen as deeply romantic (steadfast, unwavering love) or slightly worrying (an unhealthy fixation). * **Example 4:** * 我很欣赏你对梦想的这份**执着**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xīnshǎng nǐ duì mèngxiǎng de zhè fèn **zhízhuó**. * English: I really admire this persistence you have for your dreams. * Analysis: Used as a noun (`一份执着`), this is a clear compliment, praising someone's determination and spirit. * **Example 5:** * 有时候，太**执着**于过去会让你无法前进。 * Pinyin: Yǒu shíhòu, tài **zhízhuó** yú guòqù huì ràng nǐ wúfǎ qiánjìn. * English: Sometimes, being too attached to the past will prevent you from moving forward. * Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures the Buddhist-influenced cautionary meaning. `执着` here is an obstacle to personal growth. * **Example 6:** * 他**执着**地认为自己是对的，不听任何人的劝告。 * Pinyin: Tā **zhízhuó** de rènwéi zìjǐ shì duì de, bù tīng rènhé rén de quàngào. * English: He stubbornly believes that he is right, refusing to listen to anyone's advice. * Analysis: The adverbial form `执着地 (zhízhuó de)` modifies the verb "believe," emphasizing the stubborn and unyielding nature of his conviction. The connotation is negative. * **Example 7:** * 做成这件事，靠的不仅是能力，更是**执着**。 * Pinyin: Zuò chéng zhè jiàn shì, kào de bùjǐn shì nénglì, gèng shì **zhízhuó**. * English: To accomplish this, you rely not only on ability, but even more on persistence. * Analysis: A positive, almost proverbial statement that elevates `执着` to a key ingredient for success. * **Example 8:** * 不要**执着**于形式，内容才是最重要的。 * Pinyin: Bùyào **zhízhuó** yú xíngshì, nèiróng cái shì zuì zhòngyào de. * English: Don't be fixated on the form; the content is what's most important. * Analysis: A common piece of advice, using `执着` to mean "getting bogged down by" or "being overly concerned with" unimportant details. * **Example 9:** * 他的成功源于他对艺术**执着**的热爱。 * Pinyin: Tā de chénggōng yuányú tā duì yìshù **zhízhuó** de rè'ài. * English: His success stems from his unwavering love for art. * Analysis: Here, `执着` modifies "love" (`热爱`), creating a powerful phrase that means a deep, persistent, and all-consuming passion. * **Example 10:** * 我想我当时太**执着**了，现在我明白了，该放下的就要放下。 * Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng wǒ dāngshí tài **zhízhuó** le, xiànzài wǒ míngbái le, gāi fàngxià de jiù yào fàngxià. * English: I think I was too stubborn back then. Now I understand that you have to let go of what you should let go. * Analysis: A sentence of self-reflection. The speaker recognizes their past `执着` as a mistake, showing personal growth and wisdom. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`执着 (zhízhuó)` vs. `坚持 (jiānchí)`:** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * **`坚持 (jiānchí)`** means "to persist" or "to insist." It focuses on the **action** of continuing to do something, usually despite difficulty. It is almost always positive. * Correct: 我**坚持**每天跑步。 (Wǒ **jiānchí** měitiān pǎobù.) - I persist in running every day. * Incorrect: 我执着每天跑步。 (This sounds very odd, as if you have an unhealthy emotional fixation on running.) * **`执着 (zhízhuó)`** focuses on the **mental state** of being attached or fixated on a goal, idea, or person. It carries a strong emotional weight that `坚持` lacks. You `坚持` an action; you are `执着` about a belief or goal. * **False Friend: "Persistent"**: While "persistent" is a good starting translation, it doesn't capture the full range of `执着`. In English, calling someone "persistent" is rarely a strong criticism. However, calling someone `执着` can be a significant critique of their character, implying they are pathologically stubborn or emotionally immature. Always check the context to determine if the intended meaning is positive (perseverance) or negative (obsession). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[坚持]] (jiānchí) - To persist, to insist on. Focuses on the continuation of an action and is generally positive. * [[固执]] (gùzhí) - Stubborn, obstinate. A more intensely and explicitly negative term than `执着`. If `执着` can be a virtue, `固执` almost never is. * [[追求]] (zhuīqiú) - To pursue, to seek. This is an action. It is often the goal that one is `执着` about (e.g., `执着追求`). * [[放弃]] (fàngqì) - To give up, to abandon. The direct antonym of both `坚持` and `执着`. * [[偏执]] (piānzhí) - Paranoia, bigotry. Describes a very negative and often irrational form of `执着`, where the fixation is based on a distorted or biased view. * [[死心眼儿]] (sǐxīnyǎnr) - (Colloquial) A one-track mind; inflexible; obstinate. A very informal and negative way to describe someone who is stubbornly fixated. * [[不懈]] (bùxiè) - Untiring, unremitting. A formal and positive adjective often paired with other words, like in the idiom `坚持不懈 (jiānchí bùxiè)`, meaning to persevere unremittingly.