Definitions

(noun) power; strength; force
(noun) ability
(adverb) vigorously; strenuously

Etymology

Pictograph of a plow, which requires strength to operate.

About

力 represents strength, power, and physical force, functioning as both a standalone word and a common semantic radical in characters related to labor, exertion, and movement. Its shape originates from a visual depiction of an ancient agricultural plow, linking the tool to the demanding manual labor of early farming. As agriculture and society evolved, the meaning broadened from specific physical strength for farming to include abstract forms of power, such as mechanical force, intellectual ability, political influence, and natural phenomena like gravity. This character forms the basis of many words describing human effort, energy, capability, and the application of physical or mental force in various contexts.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我用搬桌子。

Wǒ yòng lì bān zhuōzi.

I use strength to move the table.

他很有能

Tā hěn yǒu nénglì.

He is very capable.

学习需要努

Xuéxí xūyào nǔlì.

Studying requires effort.

工作压很大。

Gōngzuò yālì hěn dà.

Work pressure is very high.

汽车动不足。

Qìchē dònglì bùzú.

The car's power is insufficient.

政府大支持教育。

Zhèngfǔ dàlì zhīchí jiàoyù.

The government vigorously supports education.

我们必须尽保护环境。

Wǒmen bìxū jìnlì bǎohù huánjìng.

We must do our best to protect the environment.

科学家努研究新能源。

Kēxuéjiā nǔlì yánjiū xīn néngyuán.

Scientists strive to research new energy sources.