Usage and Meaning
The character "耗" primarily means "to consume" or "to use up," often referring to resources like energy, time, or money. It is commonly used in contexts involving consumption or expenditure.
Common Collocations
- 耗电 (hào diàn): consume electricity, used when talking about electrical consumption.
- 耗时 (hào shí): take time, used to describe how long something takes.
- 耗费 (hàofèi): to spend or consume (resources, energy, money).
Notes
"耗" often appears in compound words rather than alone. It conveys a sense of gradual consumption or depletion. When used with time (耗时), it emphasizes duration rather than physical consumption. Avoid confusing it with "花" (huā), which also means to spend but is more general and often used with money or effort.
Register and Tone
"耗" is neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially in technical, business, or daily life discussions about resource usage.