耐 means “withstand, endure, -proof”

たえる · taeru

Also: enduring

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

たえる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

タイ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 9 strokes

The story

A hand (寸) and a beard (而): the Shuowen ties 耐 to an old penalty, having your beard shaved off, a shame to be borne. 耐える is to endure, and in quake-prone Japan buildings boast of 耐震, earthquake resistance, as cookware does of 耐熱.

Used in 耐える (taeru, to endure), 忍耐 (nintai, patience), and 耐震 (taishin, earthquake-resistant)

More from Grit & Resolve

• 克 overcome
• 遂 accomplish
• 誓 vow
• 忍 endure
• 挫 setback
• 堪 hold back
• 諦 give up
• 志 aspiration
• 徹 thorough
• 貫 pierce
• 頑 stubborn

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.