効 (xiào) - Effect, efficacy & to imitate, to follow

効Tone 4

xiào ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 力

想信

効 · xiào

Effect, efficacy;

to imitate, to follow;

variant form of 效 meaning effect, result, efficiency.

Effect, efficacyto imitate, to followvariant form of 效 meaning effect, result, efficiency.

Usage highlights

EffectivenessEfficiencyEfficacyValidInvalidEffect

Synonyms

  • 效— effect, efficiency (standard Chinese form)
  • 效果— effect, result
  • 功效— efficacy, effect

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This medicine has good efficacy (薬の効き目).
  • We need to improve work efficiency (仕事の効率).
  • The policy proved effective (政策が効いた).
  • Following the example (手本に効く).

Collocations

  • Effectiveness(効果)
  • Efficiency(効率)
  • Efficacy(効能)
  • Valid(有効)
  • Invalid(無効)
  • Effect(効き目)

Idioms

  • Statute of limitations(時効)
  • Special efficacy(特効)
  • Immediate effect(即効)
  • Synergistic effect(相乗効果)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 効 is primarily used in Japanese as the simplified form of 效, while in Chinese it's a variant character.
  • In Japanese, 効 carries meanings of effect, efficacy, and validity, commonly seen in legal, medical, and technical contexts.
  • The character combines 交 (exchange) with 力 (strength), suggesting the power or force resulting from an exchange or action.

FAQ