nǔ
胬
exert effort; protrude
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to exert effort; to strive; to endeavor
Often used in compounds like 努力. Can be used as a standalone verb meaning to apply physical or mental effort.
Wǒ我
men们
yào要
nǔ努
lì力
xué学
xí习
。
We must study hard.
Tā他
nǔ努
le了
yī一
bǎ把
jìn劲
，
zhōng终
yú于
bǎ把
xiāng箱
zi子
bān搬
qǐ起
lái来
le了
。
He exerted a burst of strength and finally lifted the box.
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Nǐ你
zài再
nǔ努
nǔ努
lì力
，
yī一
dìng定
néng能
chéng成
gōng功
。
Keep trying harder, you will surely succeed.
verb
to protrude; to pout (lips); to bulge
Usually used with 嘴 (mouth/lips) to indicate a gesture of signaling with the lips. Often reduplicated as 努努嘴.
Tā他
nǔ努
le了
nǔ努
zuǐ嘴
，
shì示
yì意
wǒ我
chū出
qù去
。
He pouted his lips, signaling me to go out.
Tā她
nǔ努
zhe着
zuǐ嘴
bù不
gāo高
xìng兴
。
She is pouting unhappily.
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Lǎo老
bǎn板
nǔ努
le了
nǔ努
zuǐ嘴
，
ràng让
tā他
zuò坐
xià下
。
The boss motioned with his lips for him to sit down.
verb
to strain oneself; to sprain (from overexertion)
informalColloquial usage, often in the pattern 努了 + body part, or 努着 + body part.
Bān搬
zhòng重
wù物
de的
shí时
hou候
bié别
nǔ努
zhe着
yāo腰
。
Don't strain your back when lifting heavy things.
Tā他
nǔ努
le了
yāo腰
，
hǎo好
jǐ几
tiān天
bù不
néng能
xià下
chuáng床
。
He sprained his back and couldn't get out of bed for several days.
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Xiǎo小
xīn心
bié别
nǔ努
zhe着
jìn劲
er儿
。
Be careful not to strain yourself.