勉 (miǎn) — to strive; to make an effort; to exert oneself; to do with considerable effort; to exhort; to encourage
Definition
勉 is a bound form, almost always seen in compounds: 努力 (exert effort) and 鼓励/勉励 (encourage). Alone it is not used as a stand-alone verb.
bound form
to striveto make an effortto exert oneselfto do with considerable effortto exhortto encourage
Examples
- 勉。Tā miǎn lì wán chéng le rèn wu.He completed the task with considerable effort.
- 。Lǎo shī miǎn lì xué shēng nǔ lì xué xí.The teacher exhorted the students to study hard.
- ，。Tā zì wǒ miǎn lì, bú duàn jìn bù.He encouraged himself to keep improving.
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.
勉 puts 力, meaning strong, beside 免, which gives the sound. The shape shows making a strong effort.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.