耐 (nài) is a Chinese character meaning “to endure”. It is written from 而 (and; yet (function word); originally a beard) and 寸 (cun; inch), side by side, and takes 9 strokes.
Build the character for “to endure”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
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Structure
而 + 寸
Left–right structure
Structure from: IDS 现代字形拆分，已对照 hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验
Memory aid
而 sits there unmoved while 寸 (an inch) measures the wait — you endure it inch by inch. Both parts really are in this character.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
9 strokes
In real words
- 耐心nài xīnpatience; patient耐 = nàiHSK 4
- 忍耐rěn nàito endure; to put up with耐 = nàiHSK 5
Go deeper
All readings
to endure
to endure; to bear; to be able to withstand (heat, wear, waiting)
受得住；经得起。也指能承受磨损或高温。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 耐心nài xīnpatience; patient耐 = nàiHSK 4
- 忍耐rěn nàito endure; to put up with耐 = nàiHSK 5
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 耐 mean?
耐 (nài) means to endure; to bear; to be able to withstand (heat, wear, waiting).
How do you pronounce 耐?
It is pronounced nài.
What parts is 耐 made of?
而 (and; yet (function word); originally a beard) and 寸 (cun; inch), side by side. The recorded source is: IDS 现代字形拆分，已对照 hanzi-writer-data 笔画核验. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 耐 have?
9. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 耐?
而. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 耐?
Common ones are 耐心 and 忍耐. The reading of 耐 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.