nǔ

努

Character · Verb

exert effort; protrude; strain

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 15 examples
1.

verb

to exert; to make an effort; to strive

Used when describing physical or mental effort.

Tā他
nǔ努
lì力
xué学
xí习
 ,
zhōng终
yú于
kǎo考
shàng上
le了
dà大
xué学
 。

He studied hard and finally got into university.

Dà大
jiā家
yì一
qǐ起
nǔ努
lì力
 ,
yí一
dìng定
néng能
wán完
chéng成
rèn任
wu务
 。

If we all work together, we can definitely complete the task.

Show 3 more examples
Nǐ你
xū需
yào要
zài再
nǔ努
yī一
bǎ把
jìn劲
er儿
cái才
néng能
chéng成
gōng功
 。

You need to make a little more effort to succeed.

Suī虽
rán然
hěn很
lèi累
 ,
dàn但
tā他
hái还
shì是
nǔ努
lì力
jiān坚
chí持
zhe着
 。

Although very tired, he still kept trying hard.

Wǒ我
men们
yào要
wèi为
shí实
xiàn现
mèng梦
xiǎng想
ér而
nǔ努
lì力
fèn奋
dòu斗
 。

We must strive hard to realize our dreams.

2.

verb

to protrude; to stick out; to bulge

Describes body parts sticking out due to effort or emotion.

Tā他
shēng生
qì气
de地
nǔ努
zhe着
zuǐ嘴
 ,
yí一
jù句
huà话
yě也
bù不
shuō说
 。

He pouted angrily and didn't say a word.

Nà那
ge个
xiǎo小
nán男
hái孩
nǔ努
zhe着
yǎn眼
jīng睛
kàn看
yuǎn远
chù处
de的
fēi飞
jī机
 。

That little boy strained his eyes to look at the distant plane.

Show 3 more examples
Tā她
jīng惊
yà讶
de得
nǔ努
qǐ起
le了
zuǐ嘴
ba巴
 。

She pursed her lips in surprise.

Tā他
nǔ努
zhe着
méi眉
tóu头
sī思
kǎo考
wèn问
tí题
 。

He frowned and thought about the problem.

Lǎo老
rén人
nǔ努
zhe着
sāi腮
bāng帮
zi子
 ,
màn慢
màn慢
jǔ咀
jué嚼
shí食
wù物
 。

The old man puffed out his cheeks and slowly chewed his food.

3.

verb

to strain; to pull a muscle; to injure by overexertion

dialect

Regional usage describing injury from excessive physical effort.

Bān搬
zhòng重
wù物
shí时
yào要
xiǎo小
xīn心
 ,
bié别
nǔ努
le了
yāo腰
 。

Be careful when moving heavy objects, don't strain your back.

Tā他
dǎ打
qiú球
tài太
yòng用
lì力
 ,
nǔ努
zhe着
le了
tuǐ腿
jīn筋
 。

He played ball too hard and strained his leg muscle.

Show 3 more examples
Yé爷
ye爷
yīn因
wèi为
bān搬
huā花
pén盆
nǔ努
zhe着
le了
yāo腰
 ,
xiàn现
zài在
dòng动
bù不
liǎo了
 。

Grandpa strained his back moving flower pots and can't move now.

Xiǎo小
xīn心
diǎn点
 ,
bié别
nǔ努
zhe着
gē胳
bo膊
 。

Be careful, don't strain your arm.

Tā他
tū突
rán然
qǐ起
shēn身
 ,
bù不
xiǎo小
xīn心
nǔ努
zhe着
le了
bó脖
zi子
 。

He suddenly stood up and accidentally strained his neck.