耐久 (nài jiǔ) — durable, long-lasting, able to withstand wear over time

Definition

Adjective for physical materials or designs that resist wear over time. Pairs with nouns like 材料, 机器, 性能 — not used for abstract qualities like patience.

adjective
durablelong-lastingable to withstand wear over time

Examples

  • 耐久，。
    Zhè zhǒng cái liào fēi cháng nài jiǔ, kě yǐ yòng jǐ shí nián.
    This material is very durable and can last for decades.
  • ，耐久。
    Tā men zhī jiān de yǒu yì jīng de qǐ shí jiān de kǎo yàn, shí fēn nài jiǔ.
    The friendship between them can withstand the test of time — it's very long-lasting.
  • 耐久，。
    Zhè tái jī qì shè jì nài jiǔ, hěn shǎo xū yào wéi xiū.
    This machine is designed to be durable and rarely needs repairs.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

耐nàiwithstand
久jiǔlong

耐 (withstand) and 久 (long) suggest able to endure long 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 →

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

久 likely came from a simple drawing of an arrow tip.

Open 久 →

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