耐心 (nàixīn) — patient; patience

HSK 3 | adjective/noun | able to wait calmly without frustration

耐心 (nàixīn)

耐心 describes the ability to remain calm and composed while waiting or dealing with something slow or difficult.

Meanings

  1. [adj/noun] patient; patience; the ability to endure delay or difficulty without losing composure

Example Sentences

老师很耐心地给我们解释每一道题。 Lǎoshī hěn nàixīn de gěi wǒmen jiěshì měi yī dào tí. The teacher patiently explained every question to us.

做这份工作需要很大的耐心。 Zuò zhè fèn gōngzuò xūyào hěn dà de nàixīn. This job requires a great deal of patience.

请耐心等待,我们马上就好。 Qǐng nàixīn děngdài, wǒmen mǎshàng jiù hǎo. Please wait patiently; we will be ready very soon.

跟小孩子说话要有耐心。 Gēn xiǎo háizi shuōhuà yào yǒu nàixīn. You need to have patience when talking to young children.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
有耐心 to have patience
缺乏耐心 to lack patience
耐心等待 to wait patiently
耐心解释 to explain patiently

Memory Hook

耐 means "to endure/tolerate" and 心 means "heart." Patience is a heart that can endure and keep steady through difficulty.