效能 (xiào néng) — efficacy, effectiveness; performance (of a system, machine, etc.)

Definition

效能 refers to how well something works — its real-world effectiveness or output. Broader than 效率 (efficiency), which focuses on speed and ratio of input to output; 效能 emphasizes the actual result achieved.

noun
efficacyeffectivenessperformance (of a system, machine, etc.)

Examples

  • 效能30%。
    Zhè tái xīn shè bèi de xiào néng bǐ jiù xíng hào tí gāo le 30%.
    The performance of this new equipment is 30% higher than the old model.
  • 效能。
    Zhè zhǒng yào wù de lín chuáng xiào néng yǐ jīng dé dào zhèng shí.
    The clinical efficacy of this drug has been confirmed.
  • 效能。
    Gōng sī zhèng zài píng gū xīn guǎn lǐ fāng àn de xiào néng.
    The company is evaluating the effectiveness of the new management plan.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

效xiàoeffect
能néngcapability

效 means effect and 能 means capability; together they name the effective power or usefulness of something.

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.

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.

Open 效 →

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.

Open 能 →

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