奈 (nài) - how & to what extent
奈 · nài
how;
to what extent;
to bear;
to endure;
to cope with;
used to express helplessness or resignation.
howto what extentto bear
Usage highlights
What to do?HelplessNo alternativeHow can it be?Can't do anything about itNo way to cope
Usage & contexts
Examples
- What can be done about it?(奈何)
- I can't do anything about it (无可奈何).
- How about we go together?(奈...何)
- He had no choice but to accept (无奈接受).
Collocations
- What to do?(奈何)
- Helpless(无奈)
- No alternative(奈...何)
- How can it be?(奈若何)
- Can't do anything about it(莫奈之何)
- No way to cope(无计可奈)
Idioms
- Completely helpless(无可奈何)
- What can one do?(其奈我何)
- No way to deal with it(无计奈何)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally meant 'how' or 'what to do', expressing helplessness in classical Chinese.
- Often used in Buddhist contexts to express resignation to fate or circumstances.
- Commonly appears in classical poetry and literature to convey a sense of inevitability.