Pinyin "nai4"

In MandarinBanana's mnemonic system, the Pinyin syllable "nai4" is split up into two parts: "n" and "ai4". You can visit the Pinyin index to see how other Pinyin syllables are split up into initials and finals.

Mnemonics for Pinyin initial "n"

N is for Napoleon.

Mnemonics for Pinyin final "ai4"

In the airplane's bathroom.

Characters pronounced nai4

奈

nài = n + ai4

used in expressions that convey frustration and futility, such as 無奈|无奈[wu2 nai4] and 莫可奈何|莫可奈何[mo4 ke3 nai4 he2] (literary) / used for its phonetic value in writing foreign words

奈 = 大 + 示 : Napoleon (n) wants to put his guideon (示) on the peak of Mount Sinai (奈) in the airplane's bathroom (ai4), but the robot (大) normally responsible for carrying his guideon is broken. Without any better option (奈) Napoleon will have to carry up the guideon himself.

耐

nài = n + ai4

(bound form) to bear / to endure / to withstand

耐 = 寸 + 而 : Napoleon (n) has Josephine comb (而) his hair in the airplane's bathroom (ai4). It is a very painful process for him but when Josephine asks how she is doing, because he is a very patient (耐) person he gives her the thumbs up (寸) anyway.

耐

nài = n + ai4

(bound form) to bear; to endure; to withstand

柰

nài = n + ai4

crab-apple / how can one help

鼐

nài = n + ai4

incense tripod

萘

nài = n + ai4

naphthalene C10H8