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耐人寻味 (nài rén xún wèi) — thought-provoking; worth pondering; providing food for thought

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning 'thought-provoking' or 'worth pondering' — used for writing, remarks, or experiences that leave a lingering impression and invite deeper reflection.

phrase
thought-provokingworth ponderingproviding food for thought

Examples

  • 耐人寻味，。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng xiě dé nài rén xún wèi, dú zhě kě yǐ cóng zhōng dé dào hěn duō qǐ fā.
    This article is written in a thought-provoking way; readers can get a lot of inspiration from it.
  • 耐人寻味，。
    Tā shuō de nà duàn huà hěn nài rén xún wèi, zhí dé wǒ men hǎo hǎo sī kǎo.
    That remark he made is very thought-provoking; it's worth our careful consideration.
  • 耐人寻味，。
    Zhè cì jīng lì ràng wǒ jué de nài rén xún wèi, měi cì huí xiǎng dōu yǒu xīn de lǐ jiě.
    This experience felt thought-provoking to me; every time I recall it I gain new understanding.

Origin

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.

The shape of 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

寻 is formed from 又 (hand) and 寸 (hand).

Open 寻 →

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
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
未
未wèi味wèi
Same sound today

味 combines 口 (mouth) with 未, which gives the sound wèi; the mouth part relates to taste.

Open 味 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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