功能

• Pinyin: gōng néng
• Hanzi breakdown: 功 = 工 (work) + 力 (strength) — effect or merit; 能 = a bear's form — originally 'bear,' extended to 'ability'

Meaning

Function; feature; capability. The purpose or practical use of something.

Used for the functions or features of devices, software, organs, or systems. Common collocations: 功能强大 (powerful features), 搜索功能 (search function), 基本功能 (basic functions). Often appears in technology and product descriptions.

Examples

1. 这部手机的拍照功能非常好。 This phone's camera function is excellent.
2. 这个软件有很多实用的功能。 This software has many practical features.
3. 人的大脑有很多复杂的功能。 The human brain has many complex functions.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, science, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这个应用有翻译功能。(This app has a translation function.)
• 新手机增加了很多新功能。(The new phone has added many new features.)

Don't Say

• 他有很好的功能。(Don't use 功能 for a person's abilities — it's for devices or systems. Say 他有很强的能力.)

Origin & History

Compound of 功 (effect/achievement) and 能 (ability/capability). Together they describe what something is able to do — its function.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal