敳
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: able
💡 Ái sounds like 'eye' — you need a keen eye to be able.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
In a Beijing hutong, a carpenter examines a broken chair, nods, and says to his apprentice: '你敳不敳？' (Nǐ ái bù ái?) — 'Are you able?' This ancient character 敳 (ái) means 'able' or 'capable'. It appears in classical texts but is rare in modern Chinese, mostly preserved in idioms like 敳敳 (ái'ái, capable). Its usage signals a high level of skill, often in manual or practical tasks.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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