耐

• Pinyin: nài
• Hanzi breakdown: 耐 = 而(endurance/face component) + 寸(inch/measure) — to measure out endurance through self-restraint and persistence

Meaning

To endure; to withstand; to be resistant to (heat, cold, wear, etc.).

Used both for human endurance (耐不住, 耐得住) and material resistance (耐热, 耐磨). In everyday language, it often appears in compound words or as a verb complement. Distinguished from 忍 (to suppress/bear) by focusing on capacity rather than willpower.

Examples

1. 这款新型材料耐高温、耐腐蚀，非常适合应用于航天和深海勘探等极端环境。 This new material is heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for extreme environments like aerospace and deep-sea exploration.
2. 长期从事高强度工作的人必须学会如何调节身心，才能耐得住长时间的疲劳与压力。 People who work at high intensity for long periods must learn to regulate their body and mind to withstand prolonged fatigue and pressure.
3. 她从小在艰苦环境中长大，比同龄人更能耐得住生活中的各种磨难与不如意。 She grew up in harsh conditions, so she can endure life’s hardships and setbacks better than her peers.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, materials science, personal development, engineering

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这种建筑涂料具有优异的耐候性，能在极端气候条件下保持长达十年以上的性能稳定。(This architectural coating has excellent weather resistance, maintaining stable performance for over ten years under extreme climatic conditions.)
• 真正耐得住寂寞的人往往具备极强的自我驱动力，能在缺乏外部激励的环境中持续深耕。(Those who can truly endure solitude tend to possess extremely strong self-motivation, capable of continued deep work even in environments lacking external encouragement.)

Don't Say

• 把'耐'与'忍'混用在强调压制情绪的语境下 (耐 focuses on capacity to withstand — endurance as a capability; 忍 focuses on suppressing emotions or pain through willpower. They overlap but are not interchangeable)

Origin & History

耐 = 而(beard/endurance component) + 寸(inch/measure). The character originally depicted enduring physical hardship; 而 at top suggests the face or endurance, 寸 suggests restrained measure

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal