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耐用 (nài yòng) — durable, long-lasting

Definition

Used for objects (shoes, batteries, materials) that resist wear and last a long time. 结实 focuses on physical sturdiness, 持久 describes enduring effects or states.

adjective
durablelong-lasting

Examples

  • 耐用，。
    Zhè kuǎn diàn nǎo diàn chí fēi cháng nài yòng, kě yǐ yòng hǎo jǐ nián.
    This battery is very durable and can last for several years.
  • 耐用，。
    Dēng shān xié bì xū xuǎn zé nài yòng de cái liào, fǒu zé róng yì huài.
    Hiking shoes must be made of durable materials, or they'll break easily.
  • ，耐用，。
    Zhè bǎ sǎn suī rán guì, dàn hěn nài yòng, yǐ jīng yòng le wǔ nián.
    Although this umbrella is expensive, it's very durable — I've used it for five years.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

耐nàiendure
用yònguse

耐 means endure and 用 means use; together they describe something that can endure use.

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
寸寸cùn
Sound part声符shēngfú
而
而ér耐nài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

耐 puts 而 on the left and 寸 on the right: 而 gives the sound, and 寸 gives the sense.

Open 耐 →

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

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.

Open 用 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Texture & Quality

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