能耐
néng nài · HSK 7
ability
💪 能耐 = 能 (able / can) + 耐 (endure, withstand) — the capacity to handle things
能 means can or be able to; 耐 means to endure or withstand. Together they name the ability or staying-power someone has. Sounds like neng-nai, with nai rhyming with nigh.
能 — 厶 (head) + 月 (body/flesh) + 匕匕 (legs)
Originally a pictograph of a bear, showing its head, body, and powerful legs. Because bears were seen as strong and capable, the character was borrowed to mean 'ability' or 'can'. A new character 熊 (with the fire radical 灬) was later created for 'bear'.
耐 — 而 (beard) + 寸 (hand/rule)
Originally depicted shaving off a beard (而) by hand (寸) as a minor punishment in ancient China. The sense shifted from 'enduring this shame' to the broader meaning 'to endure, bear, withstand.' Today 耐 commonly means patient or resistant, as in 耐心 (patience).