消耗

• Pinyin: xiāo hào
• Hanzi breakdown: 消 = 氵(water) + 肖 (to resemble), meaning to disappear or diminish; 耗 = 耒 (plow) + 毛 (hair), meaning to consume or waste

Meaning

To consume; to expend; consumption. The using up of resources, energy, or materials.

Used for energy, resources, time, and physical/mental stamina. Common collocations: 能源消耗 (energy consumption), 消耗体力 (expend physical strength), 消耗品 (consumables). Can be used as both verb and noun.

Examples

1. 长跑是一项非常消耗体力的运动。 Long-distance running is a sport that consumes a lot of physical energy.
2. 这个项目消耗了团队大量的时间和精力。 This project consumed a huge amount of the team's time and energy.
3. 降低能源消耗是实现碳中和的重要一步。 Reducing energy consumption is an important step toward achieving carbon neutrality.

Usage Guide

Context: science, sports, business, environment

Tone: factual

Do Say

• 这太消耗精力了。(This is too energy-consuming.)
• 需要减少不必要的消耗。(We need to reduce unnecessary consumption.)

Don't Say

• 我消耗了一顿饭 — 食物用'吃'不用'消耗'，消耗用于能源、资源等

Origin & History

Compound of 消 (to diminish, disappear) + 耗 (to consume, waste). Both characters suggest using up or depleting something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal