巩固 meaning in English
to consolidate; to strengthen; firm; solid; stable
Meaning of 巩固
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to consolidate; to strengthen
- firm; solid; stable
How to use 巩固
巩固 is most often a verb meaning to consolidate or strengthen something abstract, such as knowledge, a relationship, or a position. It is common in school, news, and formal writing. Example: 多做练习可以巩固你学过的内容。(Duō zuò liànxí kěyǐ gǒnggù nǐ xué guò de nèiróng.) Doing more practice can consolidate what you have learned.
Both characters point to strength: 固 (gù) means solid, as in 坚固 (jiāngù) and 牢固 (láogù). Think of 巩固 as making something already standing even more solid, like pouring extra cement around a foundation.
Common mistake: Learners often use 巩固 for physical objects, but 坚固 (jiāngù) or 牢固 (láogù) sound more natural there. Say 房子很坚固 for a sturdy house, and use 巩固 for things like 巩固基础 or 巩固友谊. Also note both syllables are third tone in the dictionary, but in speech the first changes to a rising tone: gónggù.
巩固 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
巩 gǒng · to bind · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
固 gù · to solidify · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 巩固.
| 固定 | gùdìng | to fix; to fasten |
| 坚固 | jiāngù | firm; firmly |
| 固执 | gùzhi | obstinate; stubborn |
| 顽固 | wángù | stubborn; obstinate |
| 牢固 | láogù | firm; secure |
| 凝固 | nínggù | to freeze; to solidify |
| 稳固 | wěngù | stable; steady |
| 固然 | gùrán | admittedly (it's true that...) |
| 根深蒂固 | gēnshēn-dìgù | deep-rooted (problem etc) |
| 类固醇 | lèigùchún | steroid |
| 胆固醇 | dǎngùchún | cholesterol |
| 加固 | jiāgù | to reinforce (a structure); to strengthen |
Questions about 巩固
What does 巩固 mean?
巩固 (gǒnggù) means "to consolidate; to strengthen; firm; solid; stable" and is used as a adjective and verb.
How do you write 巩固?
巩固 is made of 2 characters: 巩 (6 strokes), 固 (8 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 巩固 an HSK word?
Yes. 巩固 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 巩固 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 巩固 is written 鞏固.
What is the difference between 巩固 and 加强?
加强 (jiāqiáng) means to make something stronger or increase it, often starting from a weak point. 巩固 means to make something that already exists more stable and lasting. You 巩固 knowledge you already have, and you 加强 effort or security.
Can 巩固 be used as an adjective?
Yes, it can describe something as firm or stable, as in 地位很巩固 (dìwèi hěn gǒnggù), the position is very secure. This use is less common than the verb use and usually describes abstract things like power, status, or a regime.