承受 (chéngshòu)

承受 means to bear, endure, or withstand something, typically referring to pressure, pain, hardship, loss, or responsibility that requires emotional or physical strength to tolerate.

Meanings

[verb] to bear; to endure; to withstand; to sustain (pressure, pain, hardship, weight, etc.)

Example Sentences

失去至亲的痛苦是难以承受的，但时间和家人的陪伴会帮助她慢慢走出悲伤。 Shīqù zhì qīn de tòngkǔ shì nányǐ chéngshòu de, dàn shíjiān hé jiārén de péibàn huì bāngzhù tā mànmàn zǒuchū bēishāng. The pain of losing a loved one is hard to bear, but time and the company of family will help her slowly recover from the grief.

这座桥梁的设计承受能力超过了标准要求，可以安全应对极端天气条件。 Zhè zuò qiáoliáng de shèjì chéngshòu nénglì chāoguòle biāozhǔn yāoqiú, kěyǐ ānquán yìngduì jíduān tiānqì tiáojiàn. The designed load capacity of this bridge exceeds standard requirements and can safely handle extreme weather conditions.

年轻一代承受着巨大的就业压力和生活成本，社会各界应共同寻求解决方案。 Niánqīng yīdài chéngshòuzhe jùdà de jiùyè yālì hé shēnghuó chéngběn, shèhuì gè jiè yīng gòngtóng xúnqiú jiějué fāng'àn. The younger generation bears enormous employment pressure and living costs; all sectors of society should work together to find solutions.

她独自承受了所有的委屈，从未向任何人抱怨，令身边的人深感敬佩。 Tā dúzì chéngshòule suǒyǒu de wěiqū, cóng wèi xiàng rènhé rén bàoyuàn, lìng shēnbiān de rén shēn gǎn jìngpèi. She bore all the grievances alone, never complaining to anyone, which earned deep admiration from those around her.

运动员在高强度训练中承受着常人难以想象的身体和心理双重压力。 Yùndòng yuán zài gāo qiángdù xùnliàn zhōng chéngshòuzhe cháng rén nányǐ xiǎngxiàng de shēntǐ hé xīnlǐ shuāngchóng yālì. Athletes endure physical and psychological pressure during high-intensity training that ordinary people can barely imagine.

一个社会的进步需要每一个成员共同承担责任，而不是让少数人独自承受。 Yī gè shèhuì de jìnbù xūyào měi yī gè chéngyuán gòngtóng chéngdān zérèn, ér bùshì ràng shǎoshù rén dúzì chéngshòu. The progress of a society requires every member to share responsibilities, rather than letting a small number of people bear the burden alone.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
承受压力	to bear/endure pressure
承受能力	capacity to bear/withstand; tolerance
难以承受	hard to bear; unbearable
承受痛苦	to endure pain
承受后果	to bear the consequences
超出承受范围	to exceed one's capacity to bear

Usage Notes

承受 emphasizes the act of holding up under something difficult or heavy, whether emotionally, physically, or structurally. It is commonly used with negative nouns like 压力 (pressure), 痛苦 (pain), 损失 (loss), 委屈 (grievances), and 后果 (consequences).

承受 is slightly more formal and literary than the colloquial 受得了 (can tolerate) or 扛得住 (can hold up under). The noun 承受能力 (capacity to endure/withstand) is an important compound at this level.

Memory Hook

承 (to receive/accept/hold up) + 受 (to receive/suffer) — 承受 is to hold up and accept what life or circumstances thrust upon you.