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柰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
柰nàicrab-apple tree; to endure, to bearg, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #38740, Very Hard
柰nàicrab-appleunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #38740, Very Hard
柰nàihow can one helpunknown, 9 strokes, radical 木, rank #38740, Very Hard
nài(nai4) T4
  1. 1crab-apple tree; to endure, to bear
  2. 2crab-apple
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

柰nài(nai4)

The character 柰 (nài) primarily refers to the crab-apple tree and conveys meanings related to endurance or bearing something. It is often used in contexts discussing patience or the ability to withstand difficulties. Additionally, it can express a rhetorical question about how one can help or endure a situation.

Strokes9Radical木Frequency#38740DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the crab-apple tree is often associated with resilience and beauty, symbolizing the ability to thrive in adversity. This aligns with the broader cultural value placed on enduring hardships.

Memory Tip

Imagine a crab-apple tree standing tall despite harsh winds. The character 柰 has the '木' (wood) radical, symbolizing trees, while the '奈' part can remind you of 'nigh' or 'near', suggesting the tree is enduring the elements nearby. Picture the tree, strong and resolute, as it bears fruit and weather challenges.

Meanings of 柰

nài(nai4)
1crab-apple tree; to endure, to bear
2crab-apple
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 柰

柰Simplified
9Strokes
木Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 柰

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Podcast: 柰

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AI Study Notes for 柰

Usage Notes

A common mistake is using 柰 in formal contexts where more standard words for 'endure' or 'bear' are preferred, such as 忍受 (rěn shòu). Note that the tone is flat and should not be confused with similar-sounding words. It’s best used in literary or poetic expressions rather than everyday conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 柰 is not included in the HSK, it connects to themes of nature and endurance found in other characters at this level. Students should focus on the radicals and related words, enhancing their understanding of nature-related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 柰 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, using 柰 instead of 耐 (nài), which is more common for 'endure,' can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 柰

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Etymology of 柰

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

tree

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)示
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 柰

  1. 1The meaning half木 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half示 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaytree
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 柰? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 柰?

Decomposition of 柰

IDS Structure⿱木示
柰Full Character
=
木Mu4
top
示shi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 柰?

How to say crab-apple tree; to endure, to bear in Chinese

“crab-apple tree; to endure, to bear” in Chinese is柰nài

The character 柰 (nài) primarily refers to the crab-apple tree and conveys meanings related to endurance or bearing something. It is often used in contexts discussing patience or the ability to withstand difficulties. Additionally, it can express a rhetorical question about how one can help or endure a situation.

When to use 柰

A common mistake is using 柰 in formal contexts where more standard words for 'endure' or 'bear' are preferred, such as 忍受 (rěn shòu). Note that the tone is flat and should not be confused with similar-sounding words. It’s best used in literary or poetic expressions rather than everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 柰 with similar-sounding characters, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, using 柰 instead of 耐 (nài), which is more common for 'endure,' can lead to misunderstanding.

Write 柰

柰

Practice writing 柰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 柰

Words Containing This Character1
柰nàicrab-apple
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 柰 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 柰

It's less common in casual speech and more often found in literary contexts, emphasizing endurance or patience.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 柰?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.