Meaning
耐 describes the ability to withstand, endure, or resist something difficult or harsh over time. It often combines with other words to form compound adjectives meaning resistant to or able to endure specific conditions like heat, cold, or pressure. As a standalone verb, it means to be able to tolerate or bear something.
Usage
耐 is rarely used alone in modern Mandarin; it almost always appears in compound words like 耐心 (patience), 耐用 (durable), or 耐寒 (cold-resistant). When combined with another character, it typically means resistant to or able to withstand whatever that character represents. It has a neutral register and is common in both spoken and written language.
Examples
- 01这种材料很耐用，可以用很多年。, .This material is very durable and can be used for many years.
- 02你要有耐心，学中文需要时间。, .You need to have patience; learning Chinese takes time.
Common collocations
- 耐心等待to wait patiently
- 耐得住able to endure
- 耐热heat-resistant
- 耐寒cold-resistant
Origin
The character 耐 originally depicted something that could withstand pressure or difficulty. The left radical 而 suggests endurance, combined with elements suggesting sustained ability.