Determination in Chinese / Japanese...

This Chinese, Japanese, and Korean word holds the dictionary definition of "determination" but literally means, "determined heart".

The first character means "to determine" or "determined".

The second character means "heart", "mind" or "soul", so you can imagine that this form of "determination" partially means to put your heart into something. It can also be translated as resolve, resolution, or decision (as in a decision made and followed).

See Also:  Devotion | Tenacious | Passion | Dedication | Will-Power

This Japanese word can mean, "esprit de corps" or "determination to achieve".

When this is pronounced "Shige", it can refer to a place in Japan. It can also be a Japanese surname "Shiki".

This Chinese, Korean, and Japanese word means, "determination to achieve". It can also be translated as: will; willpower; determination; volition; intention; intent.

In Japanese, this can also be the given name Ishi.

This Japanese proverb, "Ichinen Hokki", suggests being resolved to do something or having a wholehearted intention to accomplish something.

Some will translate this as, "the determination to accomplish something", "turning over a new leaf and being determined to find success".

堅毅 means unswerving determination or firm and persistent in Chinese.

This single Chinese word means, "firm and persistent" and/or "unswerving determination".

The first two characters mean resolute with firm determination.
The second two characters mean reliable.

Together, this creates a 4-character expression that clearly means dependable.

This phrase can mean either "strong hearted", "strong willed" or "determination".

The first two characters can be translated as "will", "willpower", "determination", "volition", "intention", or "intent". But, it should be noted that this first part possess the element of "heart" in the lower portion of both characters (they also partially carry the meaning "with whole heart").

The last two characters mean "strong" or "staunch".

Chinese word order and grammar is a bit different than English, so in this case, they are in reverse order of English but have the correct meaning in a natural form.

See Also:  Strong Willed | Discipline | Will-Power

These two characters together mean "Tenacious", "Hard to Defeat", or "Dogged".

Alone, the first character means mischievous, obstinate or stubborn. But it loses some of the mischievous meaning when the second character is added.

The second character means strength, force, powerful or better.

See Also:  Dedication | Devotion | Never Give Up

意志力 is the form of will power or self-control is about having the determination or tenacity to keep going.

In Japanese, this is the power of will, strength of will, volition, intention, intent, or determination.

やる気 means motivation in Japanese.

It also can be translated as willingness (e.g. to do something), eagerness, inspiration, determination, totally willing, fully motivated, and high aspirations.

Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

See Also:  Enthusiasm | Passion

不自由毋寧死 means, "Give me liberty or give me death", in Chinese.

This is also the best way to say, "Live free or die".

The characters break down this way:
不 = Not; none; without.
自由 = Freedom; liberty; freewill; self-determination.
毋寧 = Rather; would rather; rather be.
死 = Dead; death.

This will go nicely next to your, "Don't tread on me", flag. This phrase is known well enough in China that it's listed in a few dictionaries. Though I doubt you will find too many Chinese citizens willing to yell this on the steps of the capital in Beijing.

See Also:  Death Before Dishonor