Meaning
咬牙 literally means 'to bite one's teeth,' describing the physical action of clenching or gritting teeth. It's commonly used figuratively to express determination, resolve, or enduring hardship through willpower. When someone 咬牙 does something, they're pushing through difficulty despite pain or resistance.
Usage
This word is often used to describe someone persevering through tough situations with determination. It conveys both the physical tension and the mental resolve needed to overcome challenges. Common in both spoken and written Chinese, particularly when describing people facing financial hardship, physical pain, or difficult decisions. Often appears in the pattern 咬牙 + verb to show determined action.
Examples
- 01他咬牙买下了那套房子，花光了所有积蓄。, .He gritted his teeth and bought that apartment, spending all his savings.
- 02她咬牙坚持跑完了全程马拉松。.She gritted her teeth and persevered to finish the entire marathon.
Characters
Common collocations
- 咬牙切齿to gnash one's teeth in hatred
- 咬牙坚持to grit one's teeth and persist
- 咬牙挺过to grit one's teeth and get through
- 咬紧牙关to clench one's teeth tightly (show determination)
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 咬 (bite) and 牙 (tooth), creating a vivid image that reflects both literal teeth-clenching and the metaphorical sense of steeling oneself against adversity.