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March 24, 2026
消耗xiāohào(xiao1hao4)
消耗 (xiāo hào) refers to the act of using up resources, energy, or materials. It's commonly used in contexts related to consumption, such as energy consumption in technology or natural resources in economics, reflecting the idea of depletion over time.
Frequency#9146DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, discussions about resource consumption (消耗) are increasingly relevant due to the country's rapid industrialization and environmental concerns. The concept is pivotal in debates about sustainable development and energy efficiency.
Memory Tip
Think of 消 (xiāo) as 'to eliminate' and 耗 (hào) as 'to waste or exhaust'. Picture a giant sponge being squeezed (消) until it's completely dry (耗), illustrating the concept of using up every last bit.
Meanings of 消耗
xiāohào(xiao1hao4)
1to use up
2to consume
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 消耗
消耗Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9146Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 消耗
Podcast: 消耗
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AI Study Notes for 消耗
Quick Contrast
耗费 (hàofèi) vs 消耗 (xiāohào): use 消耗 when emphasizing the gradual depletion of resources, while 耗费 focuses more on the expenditure or cost aspect.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 消 (xiāo) as 'to eliminate' and 耗 (hào) as 'to waste or exhaust'. Picture a giant sponge being squeezed (消) until it's completely dry (耗), illustrating the concept of using up every last bit.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 消耗 is often used in formal contexts, particularly in discussions about economics or energy. A common mistake is mixing it with similar terms like 使用 (shǐ yòng), which means 'to use' but does not imply depletion. Make sure to use 消耗 when discussing consumption that leads to exhaustion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 消耗 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to economics and environmental studies. Focus on its usage in phrases like '资源消耗' (resource consumption) to deepen your understanding and application.
Cultural Note
In China, discussions about resource consumption (消耗) are increasingly relevant due to the country's rapid industrialization and environmental concerns. The concept is pivotal in debates about sustainable development and energy efficiency.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 消耗 with 消失 (xiāo shī), which means 'to disappear'. For example, saying '资源消失' (resources disappear) instead of '资源消耗' (resources are consumed) changes the meaning significantly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 消耗
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Grammar Patterns of 消耗
消耗 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
随着年龄的增加，人在____体力时心脏的输血能力和输血速度会有所减弱。
Age diminishes the heart's ability to pump harder and faster under exertion.
Example Sentences for 消耗 (6)
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1
随着年龄的增加，人在消耗体力时心脏的输血能力和输血速度会有所减弱。
suí zháo nián líng de zēng jiā， ， rén zài xiāo hào tǐ lì shí xīn zāng de shū xiě néng lì hé shū xiě sù dù huì yǒu suǒ jiǎn。
Age diminishes the heart's ability to pump harder and faster under exertion.
This will improve your performance and help you burn off calories.
3
快走比慢跑能消耗更多的热量。
kuài zǒu bǐ màn pǎo néng xiāo hào gēng duō de rè liáng。
Brisk walking burns up more calories than slow jogging.
4
工资的涨幅高过了生产率增长的速度，从而消耗了利润所得。
gōng zī de zhǎng fú gāo guò le shēng chǎn shuài zēng cháng de sù dù， ， cóng ér xiāo hào le lì rùn suǒ。
Wages were rising faster than productivity and this was eating into profits.
5
燃气和燃油的消耗量在天冷时总会增加。
rán qì hé rán yóu de xiāo hào liáng zài tiān lěng shí zǒng huì zēng jiā。
Gas and oil consumption always increases in cold weather.
6
深埋在泥土里的树根 、 石块, 磕绊着我的犁头, 消耗着我成倍的体力.
shēn mái zài ní tǔ lǐ de shù gēn、 、 shí, kuài , kē bàn zháo wǒ de, lí tóu , xiāo hào zháo wǒ chéng bèi.
Buried in soil in the roots, stones, knock my trip coerulea, consumption doubled my strength.
Cultural Notes for 消耗
🏮Cultural insight
In China, discussions about resource consumption (消耗) are increasingly relevant due to the country's rapid industrialization and environmental concerns. The concept is pivotal in debates about sustainable development and energy efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions about 消耗
Synonyms include 耗费 (hào fèi), which emphasizes wastefulness, and 使用 (shǐ yòng), which means 'to use' but lacks the connotation of depletion.
Yes, but it is more common in formal or academic discussions, particularly when talking about energy or resource management.
Break it down: 消 (xiāo) sounds like 'shiao', and 耗 (hào) sounds like 'how'. You could visualize 'shiao' as 'shout' to eliminate, and 'how' as in 'how much is used up'.
