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March 24, 2026
耗费(耗費)hàofèi(hao4fei4)
耗费 (hào fèi) means to waste or consume resources, such as time, money, or energy, often implying excessive or unnecessary expenditure. This term is commonly used in discussions about budgeting, efficiency, and sustainability, highlighting the idea of squandering valuable resources.
Frequency#16093DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on frugality and resource conservation, stemming from historical values and economic reforms. Discussions around 耗费 often reflect societal concerns about waste in the face of environmental challenges.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '耗' (hào) with a large mouth, devouring everything around it, leading to a '费' (fèi) or fee that keeps increasing. Visualize it as a monster that consumes all your money, making you realize how quickly resources can be wasted.
Meanings of 耗费
hàofèi(hao4fei4)
1to waste
2to spend
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 耗费
耗费Simplified
耗費Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#16093Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 耗费
Podcast: 耗费
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AI Study Notes for 耗费
Quick Contrast
消耗 (xiāohào) - use this entry for a focus on consumption in general, without the negative connotation of waste.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a '耗' (hào) with a large mouth, devouring everything around it, leading to a '费' (fèi) or fee that keeps increasing. Visualize it as a monster that consumes all your money, making you realize how quickly resources can be wasted.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 耗费 with similar terms like 消费 (xiāofèi) which means 'to consume' in a neutral sense. 耗费 carries a negative connotation, so use it in contexts where wastefulness is implied. Be cautious with tones, as mispronouncing the tones can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 耗费 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to economic discussions and environmental issues. Focus on understanding its nuances in various contexts, especially in debates about resource management.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on frugality and resource conservation, stemming from historical values and economic reforms. Discussions around 耗费 often reflect societal concerns about waste in the face of environmental challenges.
Common Mistakes
Learners often incorrectly use 耗费 in contexts where 消费 would be more appropriate, like saying '我每个月耗费很多钱在食物上' instead of '我每个月消费很多钱在食物上'. Additionally, some may confuse it with '节约' (jiéyuē) which means 'to save'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 耗费
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Grammar Patterns of 耗费
耗费 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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
并不是他们把全球的资源____殆尽的。
It isn't them who use up the world's resources.
Example Sentences for 耗费 (5)
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1
并不是他们把全球的资源耗费殆尽的。
bìng bù shì tā mén bǎ quán qiú de zī yuán hào fèi dài jìn de。
It isn't them who use up the world's resources.
2
坦克要耗费大量的燃料，而且会破坏道路。
tǎn kè yào hào fèi dà liáng de rán liào， ， ér qiě huì pò huài dào。
The restoration took almost 4,000 man-hours over four years.
4
埃塞俄比亚的人均石油耗费量几乎是全世界最低的。
āi sāi é bǐ yà de rén jūn shí yóu hào fèi liáng jī hū shì quán shì jiè zuì dī de。
Ethiopia has almost the lowest oil consumption per capita in the world.
5
我们必须将所得利润酌留百分之五作为损耗费.
wǒ mén bì xū jiāng suǒ dé lì rùn zhuó liú bǎi fēn zhī wǔ zuò wéi sǔn hào fèi.
We have to allow five per cent of our profit for tear and wear.
Cultural Notes for 耗费
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on frugality and resource conservation, stemming from historical values and economic reforms. Discussions around 耗费 often reflect societal concerns about waste in the face of environmental challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions about 耗费
Yes, 耗费 specifically implies wastefulness, unlike 消费 which can be neutral.
Yes, it can refer to wasting time or energy as well as material resources.
Synonyms include 浪费 (làngfèi) meaning 'to waste' and 消耗 (xiāohào) meaning 'to consume'. They have slightly different usages.
