steady

Compared meaning: staying firm and not changing your mind (adjective).

比较义项：坚定不移，不轻易改变或动摇（形容词）。

• firm

  Firm describes a strong, unwavering stance or decision that resists pressure to change; it is the most general and neutral of these words, often used for decisions, opinions, or manner of speaking.

  firm 表示强硬、不轻易改变的立场或决定，是这几个词中最通用、最中性的一个，常用于决定、意见或说话方式。

  He stayed firm on the price and wouldn't negotiate a cent lower.

  他在价格上态度坚定，一分钱也不肯让。

• steady 本词

  Steady emphasizes staying constant and calm over time rather than resolving to pursue a goal; it describes a manner, such as a voice, pace, or hand, that does not waver.

  steady 强调长期保持稳定、冷静，而不是为了某个目标下定决心；它形容声音、步伐、手等不动摇的状态。

  Her voice remained steady even as the news got worse.

  即使消息越来越糟，她的声音依然保持平稳。

• determined

  Determined highlights the mental resolve behind pursuing a specific goal, almost always followed by 'to + verb'; it focuses on willpower and effort rather than outward calm.

  determined 强调为实现某个具体目标而下定的决心，后面几乎总是接“to + 动词”；它侧重意志力和努力，而非外在的平静。

  She was determined to pass the exam no matter how long it took.

  无论要花多长时间，她都下定决心要通过这次考试。

• bent

  Bent, always as 'bent on/upon', is a stronger, more literary way to say someone is fixed on a course of action, often implying stubbornness or mild disapproval.

  bent（固定搭配为 bent on / upon）是一种语气更强、更文学化的说法，表示某人执意做某事，常带有固执甚至轻微的不赞同意味。

  He seemed bent on quitting his job, no matter what anyone said.

  不管别人怎么说，他似乎都执意要辞职。

Firm, steady, determined, and bent all describe staying resolved. Firm is the most neutral, for decisions. Steady means calm and constant, not deciding. Determined stresses willpower toward a goal, usually with "to + verb". Bent, as "bent on", is stronger, literary, often showing stubbornness.

这几个词在“坚定不动摇”这个意义上相近，但语气和用法不同：firm 最通用中性，可修饰决定、语气、态度；steady 强调持续保持稳定、不动摇，多形容声音、手、节奏等状态，而不是“下决心做某事”；determined 突出为达成目标而下定决心，后面几乎总接不定式；bent 语气更文学化、更固执，几乎只用于 bent on / upon 结构。这里不比较 bent 的“弯曲的”义项，也不比较 firm 的“结实的”义项和 steady 的“稳定的（收入、速度等）”义项。

Compared meaning: to make stable or firm (verb).

比较义项：使稳定、使不再摇晃或改变（动词）。

• steady 本词

  Steady is used for a quick, physical or emotional bracing action - steadying your hand, a ladder, or your nerves - often momentary, and sounds informal and everyday.

  steady 常用于描述短暂的、身体上或情绪上的扶稳动作——扶稳手、梯子或稳定情绪——通常是一时的动作，语气较口语、日常。

  She grabbed the rail to steady herself as the boat rocked.

  她抓住扶手，在船摇晃时扶稳了自己。

• stabilize

  Stabilize is more formal and technical, describing an ongoing process to prevent change over time - used in medical, financial, or engineering contexts, like stabilizing a patient or an economy.

  stabilize 更正式、更专业，指为防止情况随时间变化而进行的持续过程，常用于医疗、金融或工程语境，例如使病人病情稳定或使经济稳定。

  Doctors managed to stabilize her condition within the first hour after surgery.

  医生们在手术后第一个小时内设法使她的病情稳定下来。

Steady and stabilize both mean to make something stable. Steady is used for a quick bracing action, like steadying your hand; its adjective sense 'stable,' as in 'a steady job,' is not compared. Stabilize describes an ongoing process to prevent change, common in medical contexts.

这两个词在“使稳定”这一义项上意思相近，但语气和场景不同：steady 多指瞬间的身体或情绪上的扶稳动作，语气口语化、日常；stabilize 更正式、更专业，强调持续防止变化的过程，常见于医疗、金融或工程语境。这里不比较 steady 作形容词表示“稳定的”（如 steady job, steady pace）的用法。