Chinese Symbol for Power Tattoo: A Complete Guide
Learn the real meaning of Chinese character tattoos for "power" and avoid mistakes.
Thinking of getting a “stay strong” tattoo in Chinese but unsure of the correct translation?
As a Chinese person, I’ve encountered some odd Chinese character tattoos that were randomly chosen.
So, here’s the scoop – don’t put all your trust in your tattoo artist and Google Translate.
That’s where this blog comes in.
I’ve got you covered with the accurate Chinese translation of “stay strong.”
And guess what? I’ll even throw in some cool character tattoo designs to ensure you get the perfect ink.
Let’s dive in!
In this section, I’ve got two direct translations and two idiomatic versions for you.
We can just straight-up translate “stay strong” as “保持坚强” (Bǎochí jiānqiáng) or “保持强大” (Bǎochí qiángdà).
Though both are correct, they have a slight difference in context.
保持坚强
This one is about keeping inner stability and resilience in tough times.
Example: After her husband passed away, she stayed strong (保持坚强) and returned to work to support her children.
保持强大
This phrase focuses on maintaining strength and capability when facing pressure or challenges.
Example: Despite nasty competition from rivals, he stayed strong (保持强大) and snagged the top spot.
Key points:
Hold on before making a decision!
The previous versions are a bit too casual and may feel too plain for a tattoo design.
So, here are two more compelling translations – 自强不息 (Zìqiángbùxī) and 坚韧不拔 (Jiānrèn bù bá).
Note: They both convey a similar meaning to 保持强大 (Bǎochí qiángdà). I’m still on the hunt for the perfect idiom for 保持坚强 (Bǎochí jiānqiáng).
自强不息
自强不息 (Zìqiángbùxī) is a common way in Chinese to encourage persistence and continuous self-improvement.
Breaking it down:
In a nutshell, it is all about putting in the effort to improve and never taking a break.
This idiom dates back to an ancient book, “Analects of Confucius,” where Confucius said, “天行健，君子以自强不息” (Tiān xíng jiàn, jūnzǐ yǐ zìqiángbùxī).
Now, let me break it down for you:
The whole sentence says that under the unchanging laws of the universe, a noble person should always strive for self-improvement and never stop.
Pros:
Cons:
坚韧不拔
Chinese folks love using 坚韧不拔 (Jiānrèn bù bá) to praise and motivate.
Breaking it down:
Together, it signifies a person’s ability to remain strong and unshaken in adversity.
Pros:
Cons:
To keep it in line with the English original, go for 保持坚强 (Bǎochí jiānqiáng) or 保持强大 (Bǎochí qiángdà). Just be aware of those tiny semantic differences. 自强不息 (Zìqiángbùxī) and 坚韧不拔 (Jiānrèn bù bá) might not perfectly match “stay strong,” but they bring deeper meanings and a touch of Chinese flair.
Now, let’s talk about tattoo designs. When choosing a font, consider traditional calligraphy style or modern artistic fonts.
It’s a style in traditional Chinese calligraphy with smooth strokes and a unique structure.
It’s a free-flowing and lively font.
An ancient form of Chinese calligraphy, its square characters give an elegant and profound feel.
Tip: The seal script is not simplified or traditional Chinese characters. It has it own writing system.
You might have noticed that there are no seal script tattoo designs for “保持坚强” and “保持强大.”
This is because their temperament doesn’t quite match the seal script style. The final results look awkward and strange.
Several of my friends who are well-versed in classic Chinese also share this sentiment.
So, to ensure everything is clear, I’ve removed these designs.
Modern Artistic fonts are more creative and can be designed to match your personal style.
They’re often more casual, trendy, and perfect for those wanting a modern feel.
Unsure about your Chinese tattoo translation? Don’t rely solely on your artist or Google Translate.
This blog offers precise translations for “stay strong” and unique designs. Choose from traditional calligraphy or modern fonts—stay strong, stay authentic.
Let’s ink your strength!
