功能 (gōng néng) — function, capability | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

功能 names what a system, device, or organ is designed to do — its built-in purpose or feature. Unlike 能力 (a person's general ability), 功能 belongs to the thing itself: 软件/机器/心脏 'have' 功能, not 'have' 能力.

noun

functioncapability

Examples

功能。
Zhè ge ruǎn jiàn yǒu hěn duō xīn gōng néng.
This software has many new functions.
功能。
Xīn zàng de gōng néng shì bǎ xuè yè sòng dào quán shēn.
The function of the heart is to send blood to the whole body.
功能。
Zhè ge jī qì de gōng néng hěn qiáng dà.
This machine's functions are very powerful.

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gōngfunction

能néngability

“功” (function) and “能” (ability) together describe what something does.

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.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

能 is an old picture of a bear, showing two paws and a face with an open mouth.

Appears in

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