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B1 noun #6,000 most common 11 min read

损耗

sunhao Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 损耗 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 损耗 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '损耗' (sǔnhào) often, but you can understand it as 'losing a little bit of something' during a process. Imagine you have a bag of candies and a few fall out through a small hole while you walk—that is like 'sǔnhào.' It is different from 'losing' (丢 diū) your whole bag. Think of it as 'natural losing.' For example, if you leave a bowl of water in the sun, some water disappears. That is 'sǔnhào.' In simple Chinese, you might just say '少了' (shǎole - became less), but 'sǔnhào' is the special name for this. It's used for things like batteries getting weaker or food getting a bit old during a long trip. Don't worry about using it in complex sentences yet; just remember it means 'small loss from using something.'

At the A2 level, you can start using '损耗' to talk about common things like batteries and tools. You might notice that your phone battery doesn't last as long as it did last year. You can say this is '电池损耗' (battery wear). It's a useful word when you are talking about why things aren't as good as they were when they were new. In your daily life, you might see this word in a shop or on a package. For example, a fruit seller might say some fruit was lost during the drive—they call this '损耗.' You can use it in simple patterns like '有很多损耗' (there is a lot of loss) or '减少损耗' (reduce loss). It helps you describe the world more accurately than just saying 'bad' or 'broken.'

At the B1 level, you should use '损耗' as a technical noun. This is the level where you discuss work, the environment, and efficiency. You should understand that 'sǔnhào' is a 'process loss.' For instance, in a business context, if you are talking about manufacturing, you would use '材料损耗' to describe the scraps of fabric or metal left over. In an environmental discussion, you might talk about '能源损耗' (energy loss). You should also be able to distinguish it from '损失' (sǔnshī). Remember: 'sǔnshī' is usually a big, bad accident (like losing money), while 'sǔnhào' is the normal, expected loss that happens when you use things. You should be comfortable using verbs like '降低' (lower) or '造成' (cause) with this word. It's a key word for appearing more professional in workplace conversations.

At the B2 level, '损耗' becomes a tool for analyzing systems and abstract concepts. You can use it to talk about '精神损耗' (mental depletion) or '内耗' (internal friction/infighting). At this level, you aren't just talking about physical objects; you are talking about efficiency in organizations or the human mind. You should be able to explain *why* a certain process has a high '损耗率' (loss rate) and suggest ways to optimize it. You will encounter this word in news reports about the economy, where 'sǔnhào' of resources is a major topic. You should also be able to use it in the passive voice or complex structures, such as '由于...而产生的损耗' (loss caused by...). Your usage should reflect an understanding that 'sǔnhào' is often an engineering or economic reality that needs to be managed.

At the C1 level, you should use '损耗' with nuance and precision in academic or high-level professional settings. You might discuss the 'entropy' of a system using this term or analyze the 'friction' in a market economy. You should be familiar with its appearance in classical-style four-character phrases or formal idioms. You can use it to describe the subtle 'erosion' of values or the 'attrition' of a military force over a long campaign. At this stage, you should also be aware of the word's etymology—how '损' (decrease) and '耗' (consume) combine to create a sense of inevitable depletion. You should be able to debate the trade-offs between 'sǔnhào' and performance in complex engineering projects, using a wide range of collocations like '不可避免的损耗' (unavoidable loss) or '边际损耗' (marginal loss).

At the C2 level, '损耗' is a versatile concept that you can apply across disciplines—from thermodynamics to social theory. You can use it to discuss the '损耗' of cultural heritage over generations or the 'biological attrition' of aging at a molecular level. Your command of the word should allow you to use it in sophisticated metaphors, perhaps comparing a failing relationship to a machine with too much 'sǔnhào' and not enough lubrication. You should have a deep understanding of how this word interacts with related concepts like '熵' (entropy) or '折旧' (depreciation). In writing, you can use it to create a tone of clinical objectivity or tragic inevitability. You are expected to use it in high-level policy papers, scientific research, or literary critiques where the focus is on the subtle, systemic draining of power, energy, or substance.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

损耗 in 30 Seconds

A noun for gradual loss or wastage during a process.
Commonly used for energy loss (electricity) and physical wear (machinery).
Essential in business for calculating 'wastage rates' in logistics.
Distinguished from 'sudden loss' (损失) by its focus on routine processes.

The Chinese term 损耗 (sǔnhào) is a sophisticated noun that primarily refers to the loss, reduction, or wastage of resources, energy, or materials that occurs naturally during a process, through use, or via friction. Unlike a sudden accident or a catastrophic 'loss' (which would be 损失 sǔnshī), sǔnhào implies a gradual, often expected, and sometimes unavoidable depletion. It is a fundamental concept in engineering, physics, logistics, and economics, but it also finds its way into daily conversations regarding hardware, household appliances, and even emotional or physical energy.

Physical and Mechanical Context: In the world of machinery, 损耗 describes the wear and tear that happens when parts rub against each other. For example, the tires of a car experience sǔnhào every time you drive. It isn't that the tire 'broke' (损坏 sǔnhuài) in a single moment, but rather that the material was gradually lost through friction with the road surface. Engineers work tirelessly to '降低损耗' (jiàngdī sǔnhào - reduce loss) to make machines more efficient and long-lasting.
Energy and Electricity: When electricity travels through power lines, not all of it reaches its destination. Some is lost as heat. This is specifically termed '电能损耗' (diànnéng sǔnhào). In this context, the word highlights the inefficiency of a system where input does not equal output. Understanding these losses is crucial for sustainable development and energy conservation.
Logistics and Commerce: In business, especially in the shipping of perishable goods or liquids, 损耗 refers to 'shrinkage.' If you ship 100 tons of grain and arrive with 99.5 tons due to moisture evaporation or small spills, that 0.5 ton is the sǔnhào. It is a calculated part of the business model, distinct from theft or major damage.

长时间的运输会导致蔬菜产生一定的损耗。(Long-distance transportation will lead to a certain amount of loss/wastage in vegetables.)

Common usage in the logistics and food industry.

In a broader, more abstract sense, the word can be applied to human health or cognitive resources. If someone is working under high stress for years, they might talk about the 'mental loss' (精神损耗 jīngshén sǔnhào) they are experiencing. This implies a steady draining of their vitality rather than a single traumatic event. In modern '996' work culture discussions, you will often hear people lamenting the sǔnhào of their youth and health in exchange for a paycheck.

这种高强度的工作对身体的损耗非常大。(This kind of high-intensity work causes great wear and tear on the body.)

To master this word, think of it as the 'tax' that the physical world takes on everything that moves or exists over time. Entropy is the ultimate form of sǔnhào. Whether it's the fading of a rug in the sun or the wearing down of a brake pad, if it's a slow, measurable reduction in quantity or quality due to the nature of the activity, 损耗 is your go-to word.

Using 损耗 (sǔnhào) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that measures efficiency or durability. It frequently appears with verbs that describe reducing, increasing, or calculating this loss. Because it is a formal and technical term, it is often found in reports, manuals, and academic papers, though it is perfectly natural in professional spoken Chinese.

Pattern 1: Verb + 损耗 (Action toward loss): The most common verbs used with sǔnhào are 降低 (jiàngdī - reduce), 减少 (jiǎnshǎo - decrease), 造成 (zàochéng - cause), and 计算 (jìsuàn - calculate).
Example: 为了降低能量损耗，我们改进了电路设计。(In order to reduce energy loss, we improved the circuit design.)
Pattern 2: Noun + 损耗 (Specific types of loss): You can specify what is being lost by placing the resource before the word. Common pairings include 机器 (machinery), 材料 (material), 能量 (energy), 视力 (eyesight), and 精神 (spirit/mental energy).
Example: 这种旧型号机器的材料损耗率非常高。(The material wastage rate of this old model machine is very high.)
Pattern 3: 损耗 + 率 (The rate of loss): In technical and business contexts, you often talk about the 'rate' of loss.
Example: 我们必须把产品的损耗率控制在3%以内。(We must control the product wastage rate within 3%.)

频繁的开关机会增加电脑硬件的损耗。(Frequent turning on and off will increase the wear and tear of computer hardware.)

When using it in a sentence, remember that sǔnhào is essentially a 'neutral-to-negative' term. It describes a reality of the physical world. If you want to sound more professional, use it instead of simpler words like 浪费 (làngfèi - waste). While làngfèi implies a human error or poor choice, sǔnhào implies a systemic or physical necessity. For instance, 'wasting food' is 浪费食物, but 'food lost during mass industrial processing' is 食物损耗.

在干旱地区，水分的自然损耗是一个严重的问题。(In arid regions, the natural loss of moisture is a serious problem.)

Finally, consider the scale. Sǔnhào is perfect for talking about macro-systems. A CEO might discuss the sǔnhào of company assets over a fiscal year. A physicist might discuss the sǔnhào of photons in an optical fiber. By using this word, you signal that you are looking at the efficiency of the whole system, not just a single broken piece.

You will encounter 损耗 (sǔnhào) in a variety of specific environments in China, ranging from the highly technical to the administrative. It is a word that bridges the gap between the lab, the factory floor, and the corporate boardroom.

1. In the Tech and Electronics Industry: If you go to a repair shop for your smartphone or laptop, the technician might talk about '电池损耗' (diànchí sǔnhào - battery wear/degradation). In modern Chinese smartphones, there is often a setting that shows '电池健康度' (battery health), which essentially measures the cumulative sǔnhào of the lithium-ion cells. You'll hear: '你的电池损耗太严重了，建议更换' (Your battery wear is too serious; it's recommended to replace it).
2. In Factories and Manufacturing: Factory managers are obsessed with '原材料损耗' (yuáncáiliào sǔnhào - raw material wastage). During the cutting of fabric for clothes or steel for cars, there is always scrap material. This scrap is the sǔnhào. In morning briefings, a supervisor might say: '本月我们的原材料损耗超标了' (Our raw material wastage exceeded the limit this month).
3. In Logistics and Supply Chain: When shipping fruit (like lychees from Guangdong to Beijing), a percentage will inevitably spoil. This is '运输损耗' (yùnshū sǔnhào). Logistics companies use specialized packaging and cold chains specifically to combat this. You'll hear this term in any discussion about the 'last mile' of delivery or international shipping costs.

由于设备老化，电力在传输过程中的损耗在不断增加。(Due to aging equipment, the loss of electricity during transmission is constantly increasing.)

You will also hear this word in the news when discussing the national economy or energy policy. For example, reports on China's 'Green Development' often mention reducing the sǔnhào of natural resources. In a more poetic or psychological context, modern social media influencers might talk about '情绪损耗' (qíngxù sǔnhào - emotional depletion) when describing the exhaustion of dealing with toxic relationships or internet trolls. This shows how a technical term has migrated into the realm of mental health to describe the 'wear and tear' of the human soul in the digital age.

内耗是一种无谓的心理损耗。(Internal friction is a pointless psychological depletion.)

Whether you are reading a technical manual for a high-speed train or listening to a podcast about burnout, sǔnhào is the key word for describing the inevitable cost of doing anything—the friction of life itself.

While 损耗 (sǔnhào) seems straightforward, it is frequently confused with several other words that also mean 'loss' or 'damage.' Understanding these distinctions is the difference between sounding like a beginner and sounding like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Using 损耗 (Sǔnhào) instead of 损失 (Sǔnshī): This is the most common error.
The Difference: Sǔnshī is for significant, often sudden, and negative losses (money, life, property). Sǔnhào is for gradual, process-based reduction (energy, wear and tear).
❌ Incorrect: 昨天的火灾造成了巨大的损耗。(The fire yesterday caused huge 'wear and tear'.)
✅ Correct: 昨天的火灾造成了巨大的损失。(The fire yesterday caused huge losses.)
Mistake 2: Using 损耗 (Sǔnhào) instead of 消耗 (Xiāohào): These two are very close.
The Difference: Xiāohào (consume) focuses on the act of using something up to achieve a goal (consuming calories to run, consuming fuel to drive). Sǔnhào (loss/wastage) focuses on the unintentional or incidental part of that usage that doesn't contribute to the goal.
Example: You xiāohào fuel to move the car, but the heat lost from the engine is sǔnhào.
Mistake 3: Using 损耗 (Sǔnhào) instead of 损坏 (Sǔnhuài): The Difference: Sǔnhuài means something is 'broken' or 'damaged' and needs repair. Sǔnhào means it is 'worn down.'
❌ Incorrect: 我把手机摔了，屏幕损耗了。(I dropped my phone and the screen 'wore down'.)
✅ Correct: 我把手机摔了，屏幕损坏了。(I dropped my phone and the screen was damaged.)

Another subtle mistake is using sǔnhào for 'wasting time.' In Chinese, wasting time is almost always 浪费时间 (làngfèi shíjiān) or 虚度光阴 (xūdù guāngyīn). Using sǔnhào here would sound overly mechanical, as if you are a robot measuring your clock cycles.

不要把精力损耗在无意义的争吵中。(Don't wear down your energy in meaningless quarrels.)

Remember: Sǔnhào is about the 'cost of operation.' If there is no operation or process happening, and something is just gone or broken, look for a different word.

To truly master 损耗 (sǔnhào), you should know its neighbors in the semantic field of 'loss' and 'use.' Each of these words has a specific 'flavor' and context.

1. 消耗 (Xiāohào) - Consumption

Usage: Focuses on the act of using resources.
Difference: Xiāohào is often productive (consuming fuel to travel), whereas sǔnhào is the unproductive part of that use (the fuel that didn't help you move).
Example: 跑步会消耗大量热量。(Running consumes a lot of calories.)

2. 磨损 (Mósǔn) - Wear and Tear

Usage: Specifically for physical surfaces rubbing together.
Difference: Mósǔn is a specific type of sǔnhào. Sǔnhào is the broad category; mósǔn is what happens to your shoes or gears.
Example: 零件表面的磨损很严重。(The wear on the part's surface is serious.)

3. 损失 (Sǔnshī) - Loss

Usage: For accidental, negative, or financial losses.
Difference: Sǔnshī is usually an event; sǔnhào is a process. You lose money in a scam (sǔnshī), but you lose money because of old, inefficient machines (sǔnhào).
Example: 这次投资让他损失了五百万。(This investment caused him to lose five million.)

4. 浪费 (Làngfèi) - Waste

Usage: For improper or excessive use of resources.
Difference: Làngfèi implies a moral or practical judgment (you shouldn't have done that). Sǔnhào is often just a fact of physics.
Example: 别浪费水。(Don't waste water.)

In formal writing, if you are discussing the efficiency of a system, 损耗 is the most precise term. If you are talking about the physical 'breaking' of something, use 损坏 (sǔnhuài). If you are talking about the 'cost' in a general sense, 代价 (dàijià) might be better. Choosing the right one shows you understand the mechanics behind the loss.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '耗' (hào) contains the '耒' (lěi) radical, which refers to a primitive plowing tool. This suggests its origins in agriculture, likely referring to the consumption of grain or the effort of farming.

Pronunciation Guide

UK sǔnhào

US sǔnhào

Primary stress on the first syllable 'sǔn', though both syllables are clearly articulated.

Rhymes With

损 (sǔn): 滚 (gǔn), 准 (zhǔn), 盾 (dùn) 耗 (hào): 报 (bào), 照 (zhào), 道 (dào), 帽 (mào), 笑 (xiào), 妙 (miào), 告 (gào), 傲 (ào)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'hào' with the third tone instead of the fourth.
Confusing 'sǔn' with 'shǔn' (not a common sound).
Mixing up 'hào' with 'hǎo' (good).
Forgetting the aspiration on the 'h' in 'hào'.
Under-pronouncing the 'u' in 'sǔn'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in technical and news texts; requires understanding of the 'sun' and 'hao' characters.

Writing 4/5

Writing the characters '损' and '耗' requires some practice with radicals.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce once tones are mastered; very useful in professional settings.

Listening 3/5

Distinctive sound, but can be confused with '消耗' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

损失消耗减少增加机器

Learn Next

折旧效率摩擦维护保养

Advanced

热力学熵边际效应供应链管理

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

损耗掉了 (Wasted away/lost).

Measure Words with Nouns

一点损耗 (A bit of loss).

Passive Voice with '被'

能量被损耗了 (Energy was lost).

Adverbial Modifiers

严重地损耗 (Seriously wear down).

Topic-Comment Structure

这台机器，损耗很大。 (As for this machine, the wear is great.)

Examples by Level

水在太阳下会有损耗。

Water will have some loss under the sun.

Simple Subject + Verb + Noun structure.

我的电池有损耗。

My battery has some wear.

Using 'have' (有) to indicate the presence of loss.

这些苹果在路上有损耗。

These apples had some loss on the way.

Plural noun + prepositional phrase.

我们要少一点损耗。

We want a little less loss.

Using 'less' (少一点) to modify the noun.

这是正常的损耗。

This is normal loss.

Adjective 'normal' (正常的) modifying the noun.

机器用久了会有损耗。

Machines will have wear after long use.

Condition (久了) + Result (会有损耗).

纸张的损耗很大。

The wastage of paper is big.

Noun + 的 + 损耗 as a subject.

我们要计算损耗。

We need to calculate the loss.

Verb 'calculate' (计算) + Object.

手机电池的损耗会影响使用时间。

The battery wear of the phone will affect the usage time.

Subject (Noun phrase) + Verb + Object.

长途运输会造成蔬菜的损耗。

Long-distance transport will cause loss of vegetables.

Verb 'cause' (造成) + Object.

这种灯泡的电能损耗很小。

The energy loss of this bulb is very small.

Adjective 'small' (小) as a predicate.

我们需要减少原材料的损耗。

We need to reduce the loss of raw materials.

Modal verb 'need' (需要) + Action.

这台旧机器的损耗太严重了。

The wear and tear of this old machine is too serious.

Adverb 'too' (太) + Adjective (严重).

每一道工序都会有一定的损耗。

Every process will have a certain amount of loss.

Quantifier 'a certain amount' (一定的).

这些办公用品的损耗由公司负责。

The loss of these office supplies is the company's responsibility.

Passive-like structure '由...负责'.

在干旱天气，水分损耗很快。

In dry weather, moisture loss is very fast.

Adverbial phrase of time/condition.

通过改进工艺，我们成功降低了生产损耗。

By improving the process, we successfully reduced production loss.

Prepositional phrase 'By...' (通过...) + Result.

这种材料在高温下会产生巨大的损耗。

This material will produce huge loss under high temperatures.

Verb 'produce' (产生) + Adjective + Noun.

为了避免不必要的损耗，请仔细阅读说明书。

To avoid unnecessary loss, please read the manual carefully.

Purpose clause 'To avoid...' (为了避免...).

我们要考虑运输过程中的自然损耗。

We need to consider the natural loss during transportation.

Noun phrase 'natural loss' (自然损耗).

长期的高压工作对他的精神损耗很大。

Long-term high-pressure work has a great mental toll on him.

Abstract usage of 'sǔnhào'.

这台车的油耗高，是因为发动机损耗严重。

This car's fuel consumption is high because the engine wear is serious.

Causal structure 'is because...' (是因为...).

我们的目标是将损耗率控制在1%以下。

Our goal is to control the loss rate below 1%.

Using 'rate' (率) and 'control' (控制).

频繁的摩擦会导致零件的物理损耗。

Frequent friction will lead to physical wear of parts.

Verb 'lead to' (导致) + Noun phrase.

在电力传输系统中，线路损耗是一个无法完全消除的问题。

In power transmission systems, line loss is a problem that cannot be completely eliminated.

Relative clause 'that cannot be...' (无法完全消除的).

企业内部的沟通成本过高，实际上是一种效率损耗。

Excessive internal communication costs in an enterprise are actually a loss of efficiency.

Equative sentence 'is actually...' (实际上是一种...).

这种新型涂层可以有效减少机械零件的磨损和损耗。

This new coating can effectively reduce the wear and loss of mechanical parts.

Adverb 'effectively' (有效) modifying the verb.

在评估投资项目时，必须计入资产的折旧和损耗。

When evaluating investment projects, asset depreciation and loss must be factored in.

Imperative/Formal 'must' (必须) + Verb.

由于缺乏维护，这栋建筑的设施损耗非常快。

Due to a lack of maintenance, the facilities of this building are wearing down very quickly.

Causal phrase 'Due to...' (由于...).

这种心理损耗如果长期积累，会导致严重的职业倦怠。

If this psychological depletion accumulates over time, it will lead to serious burnout.

Conditional 'If...' (如果...).

通过优化物流路径，我们大幅度降低了燃油损耗。

By optimizing logistics routes, we significantly reduced fuel loss.

Adverbial 'significantly' (大幅度).

该实验数据排除了环境因素造成的能量损耗。

The experimental data excluded energy loss caused by environmental factors.

Verb 'exclude' (排除) + Object.

在热力学第二定律的框架下，能量的损耗是宇宙演化的必然结果。

Under the framework of the second law of thermodynamics, energy loss is an inevitable result of the evolution of the universe.

Academic/Scientific register.

官僚主义不仅浪费时间，更在无形中造成了巨大的行政损耗。

Bureaucracy not only wastes time but also invisibly causes huge administrative attrition.

Correlative 'not only... but also...' (不仅...更...).

这种精密的仪器对任何微小的环境损耗都极其敏感。

This precision instrument is extremely sensitive to any minute environmental loss.

Adjective 'sensitive' (敏感) with a prepositional object.

文化遗产在流传过程中的信息损耗是历史研究的一大难题。

The loss of information in the transmission of cultural heritage is a major challenge in historical research.

Abstract application to information theory.

为了维持品牌的高端形象，他们宁愿承受一定的库存损耗。

To maintain the brand's high-end image, they would rather bear a certain amount of inventory loss.

Preference structure 'would rather' (宁愿).

这种社会资本的损耗往往需要几代人的努力才能修复。

This loss of social capital often requires the efforts of several generations to repair.

Sociological usage.

在极端工况下，材料的损耗率呈现出非线性的增长趋势。

Under extreme working conditions, the material loss rate shows a non-linear growth trend.

Technical/Scientific description.

这种长期的外交损耗战让双方都感到筋疲力尽。

This long-term diplomatic war of attrition has left both sides exhausted.

Metaphorical usage in political science.

在量子纠缠的实验中，任何细微的相干性损耗都会导致实验失败。

In quantum entanglement experiments, any subtle loss of coherence will lead to experimental failure.

Highly specialized technical register.

历史的宏大叙事往往掩盖了平民在动荡岁月中所承受的生命损耗。

Grand historical narratives often obscure the attrition of life endured by common people during turbulent times.

Literary/Philosophical register.

该政策的实施效果，在很大程度上取决于如何对冲执行过程中的权力损耗。

The effectiveness of the policy implementation depends largely on how to hedge the loss of power during the execution process.

Political/Administrative theory.

诗人笔下的秋天，不仅是自然景观的更迭，更是对生命无常与损耗的哀悼。

The autumn in the poet's writing is not only a change of natural scenery but also a mourning for the impermanence and attrition of life.

Literary analysis.

在加密货币的挖掘过程中，巨大的电力损耗引发了广泛的环保争议。

In the process of cryptocurrency mining, huge electricity loss has sparked widespread environmental controversy.

Contemporary socio-economic context.

这种制度性的内耗与损耗，是导致该组织走向衰落的根本原因。

This institutional internal friction and attrition are the root causes leading to the decline of the organization.

Systemic analysis.

通过精密的数学建模，科学家们试图量化黑洞周围的时空损耗。

Through precise mathematical modeling, scientists attempt to quantify the spacetime loss around black holes.

Astrophysical context.

语言的演变过程本身就是一种信息的不断重组与损耗的平衡。

The process of language evolution itself is a balance between constant reorganization and loss of information.

Linguistic philosophy.

Synonyms

消耗损失磨损浪费

Antonyms

增益补充

Common Collocations

降低损耗

自然损耗

能量损耗

损耗率

严重损耗

材料损耗

机器损耗

精神损耗

电路损耗

无谓损耗

Common Phrases

折旧损耗

— Depreciation and wear of assets.

会计师正在计算每年的折旧损耗。

运输损耗

— Loss of goods during shipping.

生鲜产品的运输损耗通常很高。

内耗

— Internal friction/infighting in a group.

公司的内耗严重影响了工作效率。

视力损耗

— Gradual loss of vision.

长时间看电脑会导致视力损耗。

体力损耗

— Depletion of physical strength.

登山运动会造成巨大的体力损耗。

器材损耗

— Wear and tear of equipment.

健身房需要定期检查器材损耗。

燃油损耗

— Fuel consumption/wastage.

老旧发动机的燃油损耗很大。

水分损耗

— Water loss/evaporation.

运动员在比赛中要注意补充水分损耗。

零件损耗

— Wear of mechanical parts.

这些零件损耗后需要及时更换。

不可避免的损耗

— Loss that cannot be helped.

任何生产过程都有不可避免的损耗。

Often Confused With

损耗 vs 损失

Sǔnshī is for accidental loss; Sǔnhào is for process loss.

损耗 vs 消耗

Xiāohào is the act of using; Sǔnhào is the incidental wastage.

损耗 vs 损坏

Sǔnhuài means broken; Sǔnhào means worn down.

Idioms & Expressions

"精疲力竭"

— To be physically and mentally exhausted (related to extreme sǔnhào).

长途跋涉后，他感到精疲力竭。

Common

"磨损殆尽"

— Worn out completely.

他的耐心已经磨损殆尽。

Literary

"日削月朘"

— Daily and monthly reduction; gradual depletion.

由于管理不善，公司资产日削月朘。

Formal/Literary

"油干灯尽"

— The oil is dry and the lamp is out; complete depletion of life.

老人已经到了油干灯尽的时刻。

Literary/Metaphorical

"敝帚自珍"

— To value something of little worth because it's one's own (even if worn down).

虽然这件衣服损耗严重，但他依然敝帚自珍。

Common

"量入为出"

— Spend according to income (to avoid financial sǔnhào).

过日子要量入为出，不能浪费。

Common

"积劳成疾"

— To fall ill from constant overwork (extreme health sǔnhào).

由于长期积劳成疾，他不得不住院治疗。

Common

"开源节流"

— Increase income and reduce expenditure (reduce sǔnhào).

企业要生存，必须开源节流。

Formal

"坐吃山空"

— To consume everything without producing (total sǔnhào without gain).

如果不工作，家产迟早会坐吃山空。

Common

"劳民伤财"

— Waste manpower and money (unnecessary societal sǔnhào).

这种劳民伤财的工程应该停止。

Formal

Easily Confused

损耗 vs 损毁

Both start with 'sun'.

Sǔnhuǐ means total destruction (e.g., a bridge destroyed in war). Sǔnhào is small-scale wear.

大桥在战争中被损毁了。

损耗 vs 凋零

Both imply a decrease.

Diāolíng is literary, used for flowers withering or families declining. Sǔnhào is technical.

花朵在秋风中凋零。

损耗 vs 磨合

Both involve friction.

Móhé is the positive process of parts (or people) getting used to each other. Sǔnhào is the negative wear resulting from it.

新员工和团队需要一段时间的磨合。

损耗 vs 亏损

Both mean losing something.

Kuīsǔn is strictly financial (running a deficit). Sǔnhào is physical/resource-based.

公司今年亏损了十万元。

损耗 vs 消减

Both mean reduction.

Xiāojiǎn is a proactive reduction (cutting budgets). Sǔnhào is a reactive/natural loss.

政府决定消减开支。

Sentence Patterns

...有损耗

电池有损耗。

降低...的损耗

降低机器的损耗。

造成...损耗

高温造成了能源损耗。

...损耗率很高/低

这家工厂的损耗率很低。

由于...导致的损耗

由于摩擦导致的损耗。

不可避免的...损耗

这是不可避免的物理损耗。

处于...损耗状态

设备处于严重损耗状态。

掩盖了...的损耗

表面的繁荣掩盖了资源的损耗。

Word Family

Nouns

损耗率 (loss rate)

损失 (loss)

损毁 (destruction)

消耗品 (consumables)

Verbs

损坏 (to damage)

损害 (to harm)

消耗 (to consume)

磨损 (to wear down)

Adjectives

损耗性的 (consumptive)

破损的 (broken/worn)

浪费 (waste)

折旧 (depreciation)

效率 (efficiency)

摩擦 (friction)

熵 (entropy)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional, technical, and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 损耗 for a broken window. → 损坏 (sǔnhuài)
A broken window is damage, not gradual wear.
Using 损耗 for losing a wallet. → 丢失 (diūshī)
Losing an object is 'diūshī', not 'sǔnhào'.
Using 损耗 for stock market losses. → 亏损 (kuīsǔn)
Financial deficits are 'kuīsǔn'.
Saying '浪费损耗'. → 造成损耗
These are redundant. Just use '造成损耗' or '产生损耗'.
Confusing 损耗 with 损害 (harm). → 损害
'损害健康' means to harm health; '身体损耗' means the wear on the body.

Tips

Noun vs Verb

Always try to use '损耗' as a noun first. It fits into more common sentence patterns that way.

The 'Rate' Rule

If you are talking about percentages, always use '损耗率'.

Industrial Use

In a factory setting, this word is essential. Learn it alongside '原材料' (raw materials).

Battery Health

Check your phone settings in Chinese; you'll likely see '损耗' in the battery section.

Loss vs Wastage

Remember that '损耗' often implies the loss was part of the process, not a mistake.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure 'hào' is a sharp falling tone. If you say it with a rising tone, people might not understand.

Radical Recognition

The hand radical in '损' shows that it often relates to things handled or managed.

The Leak Image

Think of a bucket with a tiny hole. The water coming out is the 'sǔnhào'.

Verb Pairing

Pair it with '降低' (lower) to sound like an efficiency expert.

Mental Energy

Use '精神损耗' to describe why you're tired after a long day of meetings.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sun' (损) and 'How' (耗). Imagine the SUN is so hot it asks 'HOW' much energy you can lose today. It's the 'Sun-How' of energy loss.

Visual Association

Imagine a car tire getting thinner and thinner as it drives, or a battery bar slowly turning red. That gradual thinning/emptying is 'sǔnhào'.

Word Web

Energy Friction Efficiency Wastage Rate Machinery Logistics Measurement

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that have 'sǔnhào' (like a sponge, a candle, or a battery) and describe them using the word.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two characters: 损 (sǔn) and 耗 (hào). '损' originally meant to diminish or decrease, often by taking away from a whole. '耗' originally referred to the growth of grain but evolved to mean consumption or waste.

Original meaning: To diminish through consumption.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral technical term.

In English, we often use 'wear and tear' for physical objects and 'wastage' for materials. 'Loss' is the broad term. Chinese '损耗' covers all these in a more unified, technical way.

The term '内耗' (internal friction) is frequently used in Chinese management books to describe corporate inefficiency. Scientific reports on the 'Three Gorges Dam' often discuss the '损耗' of energy during long-distance transmission. Buddhist philosophy sometimes touches on the '损耗' of the physical body as part of the cycle of life.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In a factory

降低生产损耗
材料损耗表
损耗率统计
减少废料

Repairing electronics

电池损耗程度
屏幕损耗
硬件损耗
更换零件

Shipping goods

运输损耗补贴
自然损耗范围
减少包装损耗
货物清点

Physics/Engineering

能量损耗计算
摩擦损耗
热能损耗
效率优化

Mental health

精神损耗严重
心理内耗
减少情绪损耗
自我调节

Conversation Starters

"你觉得现在的智能手机电池损耗快吗？"

"在你的工作中，最主要的损耗是什么？"

"我们该如何降低长途运输中的食物损耗？"

"你认为‘内耗’对一个团队的影响有多大？"

"有什么好办法可以减少身体的损耗？"

Journal Prompts

记录一下你今天在生活中观察到的‘损耗’现象（比如电量、时间、体力）。

写一段话，描述你如何通过改进习惯来减少自己的‘精神损耗’。

分析一下你认为哪种交通工具的能量损耗最低，为什么？

如果你是一家工厂的老板，你会采取哪些措施来控制损耗率？

探讨一下‘损耗’在自然界中是否是不可避免的。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. For losing weight, use '减肥' (jiǎnféi) or '消耗热量' (consuming calories). '损耗' implies a negative wear or wastage that isn't usually desired for weight loss.

Usually, yes, because it represents inefficiency. However, in physics, it is a natural law (entropy). In business, it's something to be managed rather than feared.

'磨损' (wear and tear) is a specific type of '损耗' caused by physical rubbing. '损耗' is broader and includes energy loss, evaporation, etc.

It is grammatically correct but rare. '浪费时间' is much more natural. '时间损耗' might appear in a very technical time-management study.

You say '损耗率' (sǔnhào lǜ).

Yes, but it's much more common as a noun. As a verb, it means 'to wear down' (e.g., 损耗精力).

Yes, it refers to the physical loss of inventory or the wear of fixed assets.

It literally means 'internal loss/consumption' and refers to energy wasted on internal conflicts within a group or one's own mind.

Yes, it is a relatively formal word. In casual speech, people might just say '没了' or '坏了'.

Yes, for example, water evaporating or leaking slowly from a tank is '损耗'.