Word
強引
Meaning in Englishforcible, assertive, pushy
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 強引 mean? It denotes using force or pressure to achieve one's aims, often at the expense of others' wishes; a pushy, overbearing approach in social or professional contexts.
Main meanings
- Coercive or forceful action to secure compliance
- Pushy or overbearing behavior in personal or professional interactions
- A method or stance that relies on pressure rather than persuasion
How to use it
Used to describe behavior, approaches, or methods that press others to agree or comply; negative evaluation; common in business, politics, and daily life; typically precedes な when modifying a noun as 強引な or used as a noun meaning coercion
Variants and close terms
- 押しつけがましい (oshitsuke-gamashii) — pushy, officious
- 横暴な (ōbō na) — tyrannical, overbearing
- 強硬な (kyōkō na) — hardline, uncompromising
- 無理やりな (muriyari na) — by force, forcibly
Composition
- 強 = strong, power; 引 = pull; together imply pulling others toward one's will
Etymology
on'yomi combination of 強 and 引, form a Sino-Japanese compound expressing forceful influence
Word class
na-adjective (形容動詞)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
引っ掻く
hikkaku
to scratch
N2
引力
inryoku
gravity
N2
強化
kyouka
strengthen, intensify, reinforce
N2
索引
sakuin
index, indices
N2
差し引き
sashihiki
deduction, balance
N2
力強い
chikarazuyoi
powerful, strong, vigorous
N2
強気
tsuyoki
firm, strong
N2
長引く
nagabiku
to be prolonged, to drag on
N2
引受る
hikiukeru
to undertake, to take up, to take over