勉强 miǎnqiǎng to do with difficulty
to do with difficulty; to force somebody to do something; reluctant; barely enough
How to remember 勉强: 勉 to endeavor + 强 strong = to do with difficulty.
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How it is used
- Several linked senses: to do something reluctantly/with difficulty: 勉强同意 (miǎnqiǎng tóngyì) agree grudgingly; barely enough: 勉强及格 (miǎnqiǎng jígé) barely pass.
- Also 'to force someone': 别勉强他 (bié miǎnqiǎng tā) don't force him. And 'forced/unnatural': 笑得很勉强 (xiào de hěn miǎnqiǎng) a forced smile.
- The thread is 'against natural inclination or with just-barely-sufficient means'. Very common in speech.