耐

Phono-semantic compound:

寸 (촌, inch, hand) — semantic, indicating action with the hand or measurement.

而 (이, beard/and/phonetic) — phonetic element.

Originally depicted a beard or whiskers, thus also carrying connotations of hair or resistance.

Originally, 耐 meant “the punishment of shaving off whiskers or sideburns,” but over time the meaning shifted to ‘to endure, to withstand’.

耐久 (내구) — durability, endurance

耐熱 (내열) — heat resistance

耐心 (내심) — patience

耐寒 (내한) — cold resistance

忍耐 (인내) — endurance, forbearance

The concept of 忍耐 (인내, rěnnài) - endurance, is often highlighted in Confucian and Buddhist texts, emphasizing patience and perseverance as virtues.

In modern East Asian languages, 耐 frequently appears in technical compounds (耐久, 耐熱, 耐火) to indicate resistance or endurance against forces like heat, cold, or pressure.

耏 — with 彡 (터럭 삼, hair) instead of 寸, emphasizing hair or whiskers.