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功效 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
功效gōngxiàoefficacyHSK 6, n, 15 strokes, rank #18510, Hard
gōngxiào(gong1xiao4)gong xiao T1
  1. 1efficacy
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March 24, 2026

功效gōngxiào(gong1xiao4)

功效 refers to the effectiveness or efficacy of something, often used in contexts such as medicine, health supplements, or any product's ability to deliver on its promised results. It signifies how well something achieves its intended purpose or function.

Strokes15Frequency#18510DifficultyHard
Cultural note

The concept of 功效 is particularly significant in Chinese medicine, where the efficacy of herbal remedies and treatments is a central topic of discussion and evaluation among practitioners and patients.

Memory tip

Imagine a superhero named 'Gong' who has the special ability ('xiao') to heal people with incredible efficacy. The character 功 (gong) looks like a tool that helps achieve something, while 效 (xiao) has a component that resembles a person receiving help, making it easier to remember its meaning.

Meanings of 功效

gōngxiào(gong1xiao4)
1efficacy
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 功效

功效Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18510Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 功效

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Podcast: 功效

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AI Study Notes for 功效

Quick Contrast

功效 (effectiveness) vs 效果 (result) — choose 功效 when emphasizing the inherent ability to achieve a purpose, while 效果 focuses on the outcome of that ability.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the context in which you use 功效; it is more appropriate in formal settings such as academic discussions or product reviews, rather than casual conversations. Common collocations include '药物的功效' (the efficacy of drugs) or '产品的功效' (the efficacy of products).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 功效 is part of a more advanced vocabulary that connects with other terms related to evaluation and effectiveness. Students should focus on using it in the context of discussions about health, technology, or efficacy assessments.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 功效 with 效果. For example, saying '这个药的效果很好' is not incorrect, but it may not convey the precise meaning of efficacy that 功效 provides. Always choose 功效 when discussing effectiveness in a technical or formal context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 功效

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Component Characters

功gōngmeritorious deed or service
HSK 75 strokes力
View full entry
效xiàoto imitate
HSK 410 strokes攵
View full entry

How to say efficacy in Chinese

“efficacy” in Chinese is功效gōngxiào

功效 refers to the effectiveness or efficacy of something, often used in contexts such as medicine, health supplements, or any product's ability to deliver on its promised results. It signifies how well something achieves its intended purpose or function.

When to use 功效

Be cautious with the context in which you use 功效; it is more appropriate in formal settings such as academic discussions or product reviews, rather than casual conversations. Common collocations include '药物的功效' (the efficacy of drugs) or '产品的功效' (the efficacy of products).

功效 or something close to it

功效 (effectiveness) vs 效果 (result) — choose 功效 when emphasizing the inherent ability to achieve a purpose, while 效果 focuses on the outcome of that ability.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 功效 with 效果. For example, saying '这个药的效果很好' is not incorrect, but it may not convey the precise meaning of efficacy that 功效 provides. Always choose 功效 when discussing effectiveness in a technical or formal context.

Write 功效

功
效

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

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Grammar Patterns of 功效

功效 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

百里香茶的杀菌____可用于成人。

Thyme tea can be used by adults for its antiseptic qualities.

Example Sentences for 功效 (1)

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1
百里香茶的杀菌功效可用于成人。

bǎi lǐ xiāng chá de shā jūn gōng xiào kě yòng yú chéng rén。

Thyme tea can be used by adults for its antiseptic qualities.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 功效

You can say, '这款药的功效很好' which means 'The efficacy of this medicine is very good.'

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