努 (náo) — (bound form) to exert, to put forth strength (as in 用力); (bound form) to pout, to purse the lips (as in 努嘴)
Definition
A bound verb that combines with another element: 努力 means 'to make an effort' and 努嘴 means 'to pout / purse the lips'. It is almost never used alone.
bound form
to exertto put forth strength (as in 用力)to poutto purse the lips (as in 努嘴)
Examples
- 努，。Tā náo zhe zuǐ, yí jù huà yě bù shuō.He pursed his lips and didn't say a word.
- 努，。Bié náo zuǐ, yǒu shén me xiǎng fǎ shuō chū lái.Don't pout — tell me what you're thinking.
- 努，。Tā náo zhe jìn r, zhōng yú bǎ shí tou bān kāi le.He exerted all his strength and finally moved the rock away.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
The form 努 places 力 (strength) under 奴, which gives the sound; it means to exert strength.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.