硬拉
yìnglā
The English term 'deadlift' is translated into Chinese as 硬拉 (yìnglā).
硬拉 is used as both a noun to name the weight training exercise and as a verb to describe the act of performing the movement. You can specify different variations of the lift, such as 传统硬拉 for a traditional deadlift, 罗马尼亚硬拉 for a Romanian deadlift or 杠铃硬拉 for a barbell deadlift.
Meaning: weight training exercise (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of 硬 (yìng), meaning 'hard' or 'stiff' and 拉 (lā), meaning 'to pull', literally translating to 'hard pull'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to express the action of performing the exercise in a sentence, it is common to use the verb 做 (zuò), meaning 'to do', before the term, as in 做硬拉 (to do deadlifts).
How do you pronounce it?
yìnglā
Did you know?
- In Chinese fitness circles, the phrase 硬拉 is sometimes jokingly linked to 硬核 (yìnghé), the translation for 'hardcore', to describe someone who trains with extreme intensity.
- The use of 硬 (yìng) in 硬拉 captures the idea of being 'stiff' or 'rigid'. This refers to the braced, rigid torso and posture required to lift the weight safely, which differs from the English focus on 'dead weight'.
- In many Chinese fitness communities, you might hear people refer to the lift simply as 拉, dropping the 'hard' component entirely when the context of weightlifting is already established.
Examples in context
- 硬拉 (yìng lā) 对锻炼腿部、背部和核心肌群非常有效。Deadlifts are highly effective for developing the legs, back, and core muscles.
- 我刚创造了一个新的硬拉纪录！I just set a new deadlift record!
- 他的硬拉重量很重。Tā de yìng lā zhòng liàng hěn zhòng.His deadlift weight is very heavy.
- 我今天打算练习硬拉。Wǒ jīntiān dǎsuàn liànxí yìng lā.I plan to practice deadlifts today.
- 做硬拉时要注意姿势。Zuò yìng lā shí yào zhùyì zīshì.Pay attention to your form when doing deadlifts.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are talking at a gym.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，你在练什么？Zhìqiáng, nǐ zài liàn shénme?Zhiqiang, what are you training?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我在做硬拉。Wǒ zài zuò yìng lā.I am doing deadlifts.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你的动作很标准。Nǐ de dòngzuò hěn biāozhǔn.Your form is very standard.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢晓雯，我会继续努力。Xièxiè Xiǎowén, wǒ huì jìxù nǔlì.Thanks Xiaowen, I will keep working hard.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deadlift” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
