Usage and Meaning
The character '耐' primarily means 'to endure,' 'to bear,' or 'to resist.' It is often used to describe the ability of a person or object to withstand hardship, pressure, or adverse conditions. For example, it can describe physical durability (耐穿 - durable to wear), patience (耐心 - patience), or resistance to environmental factors (耐高温 - heat resistant).
Common Collocations
- 耐心 (nàixīn): patience; used to describe someone who is patient or persevering.
- 耐用 (nàiyòng): durable; often used for objects that last a long time.
- 耐热 (nàirè): heat resistant; used for materials or products that can withstand high temperatures.
Nuances and Usage Notes
When used with people, '耐' often conveys a positive quality of patience or endurance. When describing objects or materials, it emphasizes durability or resistance. It is not used alone as a verb in modern spoken Chinese but appears mostly in compounds.
Common Confusion
Don't confuse '耐' with '奈' (nài), which is a different character with different meanings. Also, '耐' should not be used interchangeably with '忍' (rěn), which emphasizes enduring hardship with more emotional or physical pain, whereas '耐' is more neutral and often relates to physical or mental endurance.