耗

• Pinyin: hào
• Desglose de hanzi: 耗 = 毛 (hair/fur) + 乇 — originally depicted gradual wearing away

Significado

consumir; agotar; alargar/dilatar (una situación)

Can refer to consuming energy, money, time, or resources. Also used for drawn-out, grinding situations (耗着 — keep stalling/dragging). The character image evokes slow depletion, like a candle burning down.

Ejemplos

1. 这个项目耗费了团队整整三年的心血。
2. 他不想就这个问题一直耗下去，决定尽快做出决定。
3. 长期的压力耗尽了她的精力，让她疲惫不堪。

Guía de uso

Contexto: resources, time, endurance, stalling

Tono: negative

Correcto

• 这台旧机器太耗电了，换一台更节能的会更划算。(This old machine consumes too much electricity — switching to a more energy-efficient one would be more economical.)
• 谈判双方都在耗，谁也不愿意先让步。(Both sides in the negotiation were stalling, neither willing to make the first concession.)

Incorrecto

• 耗 for productive consumption of resources — 用 or 消耗 is more neutral; 耗 carries a sense of waste or excess

Origen e historia

Originally depicted animal horns worn down — sense of depletion. Modern character: 耗 = 毛 (fur) + 乇 variant.

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal