容纳

• Pinyin: róng nà
• Hanzi breakdown: 容 = 宀 + 谷 (house + valley = contain); 纳 = 纟+ 内 (thread + inside = to accept/bring in)

Meaning

To accommodate; to hold; to contain. To have enough space or capacity for a specified number or amount.

Used both literally (a venue accommodating people) and figuratively (a society accommodating different ideas). Collocates with 场馆 (venue), 人员 (personnel), 观点 (viewpoints), 差异 (differences). Emphasises both physical capacity and the spirit of inclusion and acceptance.

Examples

1. 这座多功能体育场可容纳六万名观众，是本市规模最大的综合赛事场馆。 This multi-purpose stadium can accommodate 60,000 spectators, making it the largest comprehensive sports venue in the city.
2. 一个成熟健全的社会应当能够容纳不同的声音、立场和观点。 A mature and healthy society should be able to accommodate different voices, positions, and viewpoints.
3. 新落成的学生宿舍楼可容纳两千名学生入住，大大缓解了校园住宿紧张的局面。 The newly completed student dormitory building can house 2,000 students, greatly easing the housing shortage on campus.

Usage Guide

Context: architecture, events, culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 该国际会议中心可容纳五百人同时参加大规模学术或商业活动。(The international conference centre can accommodate five hundred people simultaneously for large-scale academic or business events.)
• 领导者应有宽广的胸怀，能容纳风格各异、背景不同的团队成员。(Leaders should have a broad mind capable of accommodating team members with different styles and backgrounds.)

Don't Say

• 这个箱子容纳不了我的心情 — 容纳 is for physical or logical capacity; use 装下 for objects and 承受 for emotions

Origin & History

容 (to contain) + 纳 (to accept/receive/bring in)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal