(nài)

HSK 58 strokes

used in expressions that convey frustration and futility, such as 无奈…

Stroke order animation

Character information

Pinyin
nài
Meaning
used in expressions that convey frustration and futility, such as 无奈 and 莫可奈何 (literary); used for its phonetic value in writing foreign words
Strokes
8
HSK level
HSK 5
Traditional
Same

Origin & structure

Where comes from and how its parts fit together.

Ideograph⿱大示

A man 大 with spirit 示

A combination of parts whose meanings add up to the whole.

Made of

Parts are arranged top to bottom.

How to write step by step

8 strokes — each frame adds one stroke, shown in dark ink over the lighter ones.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8

Words with

Common words using — tap any character to open its stroke-order page.

nài
HSK 5

to have no alternative

Open 无奈 page →
nài

Kenai (Peninsula, Lake, Mountains), Alaska (Tw)

Open 基奈 page →
nài

to do something to sb; to deal with; to cope; how?; to no avail

Open 奈何 page →
nàipéi

neper (unit of ratio, Np)

Open 奈培 page →
nàiliáng

Nara (prefecture and city in Japan)

Open 奈良 page →

Cornell (University)

Open 康奈尔 page →

Kanagawa (prefecture in Japan)

Open 神奈川 page →

Related characters

Ready to master 奈?

Trace 奈 stroke by stroke in the online practice tool, or turn it into a printable worksheet PDF with Tianzige practice grids, pinyin, and stroke-order breakdowns.