耐 (nài) - to endure & to bear

耐Tone 4

nài ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 寸

娜楠

耐 · nài

to endure;

to bear;

to withstand;

patience;

durable

to endureto bearto withstand

Usage highlights

patienceendure hardshipwearheatdurableendurance

Synonyms

  • 忍— to endure; to bear
  • 持久— lasting; durable
  • 承受— to bear; to withstand

Antonyms

  • 急— impatient; urgent
  • 脆— brittle; fragile

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This material is very durable (耐用的材料).
  • You need patience to learn a language (学习语言需要耐心).
  • This plant is drought-resistant (这种植物耐旱).
  • He can endure hardship (他能吃苦耐劳).

Collocations

  • patience(耐心)
  • endure hardship(耐劳)
  • wear-resistant(耐磨)
  • heat-resistant(耐热)
  • durable(耐用)
  • endurance(耐力)

Idioms

  • Hardworking and enduring hardship(吃苦耐劳)
  • Unable to endure the wait(急不可耐)
  • Endure humiliation to carry out an important mission(忍辱耐垢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character combines 而 (and/but) and 寸 (inch/measure), suggesting the concept of measuring one's capacity to endure.
  • In Confucian culture, endurance and patience are considered important virtues for personal cultivation.
  • The character reflects the traditional value of perseverance through difficulties.

FAQ