功效

• Pinyin: gōng xiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 功 = merit, beneficial result; 效 = 交 + 攵 — effect, result, to follow/imitate

Meaning

Efficacy; effectiveness; beneficial effect. The actual effect or result produced by a substance, treatment, or action.

Widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (中药功效 = TCM medicinal effects), cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition. Describes both what something does and how well it does it. Distinguished from 效果 (general result/outcome) by its emphasis on specifically intended or beneficial effects.

Examples

1. 这种草药具有清热解毒的功效，在民间被广泛用于辅助治疗感冒。 This herbal medicine is said to reduce internal heat and help clear toxins, and it’s widely used among the public to support cold treatment.
2. 新研发的药物在临床试验中展现出显著的抗炎功效。 The newly developed drug showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in clinical trials.
3. 该护肤品的功效宣传夸大其词，实际使用效果并不明显。 The product’s skincare claims are exaggerated, and the real results aren’t very noticeable.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, TCM, health, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 蜂蜜具有润燥止咳的功效，在中医里被视为天然滋补佳品。(Honey has the effect of moistening dryness and relieving cough; in TCM it is regarded as an excellent natural tonic.)
• 这套训练方法功效显著，运动员的成绩在三个月内大幅提升。(This training method is highly effective; athletes' performance improved dramatically within three months.)

Don't Say

• 将'功效'与'效果'完全互换 — 功效 emphasises intended beneficial effects; 效果 is more general; in medical and TCM contexts, only 功效 is standard

Origin & History

功 (merit; result) + 效 (effect; result)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal