硬道理

yìngdàolǐ

established truth; absolute paramount principle

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 硬 yìng
  1. hard; stiff; solid
  2. (fig.) strong; firm
  3. resolutely; uncompromisingly
  4. laboriously; with great difficulty
  5. good (quality); able (person)
  6. (of food) filling; substantial
=2 道理 dàoli
  1. reason
  2. argument
  3. sense
  4. principle
  5. basis
  6. justification

classifier: 個
=2 道理 dàolǐ
  1. principle; rule; truth; philosophy
  2. reason; argument; sense; logic
  3. way; plan