功效 (gōng xiào) — efficacy; effectiveness | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

功效 (gōngxiào) emphasizes the practical power or proven results of a product, medicine, or method — 'efficacy'. It is more formal and focused on measurable performance than the general 结果 sense of 效果.

noun

efficacyeffectiveness

Examples

功效。
Zhè kuǎn chǎn pǐn de gōng xiào yǐ jīng dé dào le kē xué yàn zhèng.
The efficacy of this product has been scientifically verified.
，功效。
Tā jiān chí duàn liàn, dàn gōng xiào bú tài míng xiǎn.
He exercises regularly, but the effect is not very obvious.
功效。
Yī shēng duì zhè zhǒng xīn yào de gōng xiào hěn mǎn yì.
The doctor is very satisfied with the efficacy of this new medicine.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

“功” (effect) and “效” (effect) together mean the result a thing produces.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

工力功

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

工

工gōng功gōng

Same sound today

功 puts 力 (strength) beside 工, which gives the sound gōng and means labour or work.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

交攵效

Meaning part形符xíngfú

攵Written in full as攴pūto strike; action

Sound part声符shēngfú

交

交jiāo效xiào

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

效 pairs 攵 (written in full as 攴), meaning “to strike; action,” with 交, which gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Abstract Concepts Medicine & Treatment

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