Word

耐 (nài) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

Meaning of 耐

动 dòng verb

to endure, to withstand

这种材料很耐用。

zhè zhǒng cái liào hěn nài yòng

This material is very durable.

Word breakdown

耐 nài — to endure, to withstand

1 耐心 nài xīn — patience HSK 4
- 耐 endurance, to bear, to withstand
- 心 heart, mind, mental state
Example

学习汉语需要很多耐心。

xué xí hàn yǔ xū yào hěn duō nài xīn

Learning Chinese requires a lot of patience.
2 不耐烦 bú nài fán — impatient HSK 6
- 不 not
- 耐 endure, tolerate
- 烦 annoyed, vexed
Example

她用不耐烦的语气回答问题。

tā yòng bú nài fán de yǔ qì huí dá wèn tí

She answered the question in an impatient tone.
3 忍耐 rěn nài — endure; be patient HSK 7
- 忍 endure; restrain
- 耐 patience; withstand
Example

学习需要忍耐和努力。

xué xí xū yào rěn nài hé nǔ lì

Learning requires patience and effort.
4 耐人寻味 nài rén xún wèi — thought-provoking HSK 7
- 耐 able to withstand (scrutiny/examination)
- 人 people (who examine it)
- 寻 to seek/explore (deeper meaning)
- 味 meaning/flavor (to ponder)
Example

这部电影的结局很耐人寻味。

zhè bù diàn yǐng de jié jú hěn nài rén xún wèi

The ending of this movie is very thought-provoking.
5 耐用 nài yòng — durable HSK 7
- 耐 endure, withstand
- 用 use
Example

这个包很耐用，用了五年还很新。

zhè ge bāo hěn nài yòng yòng le wǔ nián hái hěn xīn

This bag is very durable; it still looks new after five years of use.

Structure & writing

1 耐 nài — to endure; to withstand; to bear

耐 is not used as a component in any other character.

consists of

1.1 而 ér — conjunction linking verbs, adjectives, or clauses: ① connecting successive elements ② connecting complementary affirmative and negative elements ③ connecting contrasting elements (adversative) ④ connecting causally related elements

而 is a component in 3 characters

HSK 3

需 xū to need, to require

HSK 4

耐 nài to endure; to withstand; to bear

HSK 7

耍 shuǎ to play; to have fun

1.2 寸 cùn — cun, a unit of length (1/10 of a 尺, approx. 1/30 meter)

寸 is a component in 25 characters

HSK 1

对 duì to answer; to reply 得 dé to get; to obtain (opposite of 失) 时 shí time; a relatively long period of time during which matter continuously changes or develops

HSK 2