How to Write 奈 (nài) — Meaning “how / to deal with”

Picture a giant sign (示) that is very big (大) and reads "HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS?" The image of a big sign asking a question reminds you that 奈 means "how" or "to deal with". You can also think of "奈" as "big (大) question (示)".

The top part 大 should be written with the horizontal stroke long enough to cover the bottom 示. A common mistake is to write the bottom part as 衣 (clothes) instead of 示, so make sure the bottom has two horizontal strokes and not a diagonal hook. The stroke order is: 一, 丿, 捺 for 大, then 一, 二, 亅, 小 for 示 (eight strokes total).

奈 (nài) has 大 on top and 示 on bottom, and means "how" or "to deal with". 买 (mǎi) has a horizontal hook on top and 头 (head) below, and means "to buy". 夷 (yí) has 大 on top and 弓 (bow) below, and means "smooth" or "to raze". Pay attention to the bottom part: 示 vs. 头 vs. 弓.

奈 rarely appears alone; it is most common in compound words like 无奈 (wú nài, "helpless") and 奈何 (nài hé, "what can be done"). You will often see 无可奈何 (wú kě nài hé), a fixed phrase meaning "there is no choice" that appears in writing and formal speech. It carries a tone of resignation or frustration.

Common words containing 奈 include: 无奈 (wú nài) — To have no choice; helpless.; 奈何 (nài hé) — how can one... / what can be done; 怎奈 (zěn nài) — unfortunately; but alas.