Definitions

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

Etymology

Pictograph of a plow, which requires strength to operate.

About

The character "力" originates from a pictographic representation of physical power, conceived as an image of a muscle or an agricultural tool. In its current form, it is a simple, indivisible character composed of two strokes. Its core meaning of strength or force initially applied to human exertion, but over time it expanded to encompass mechanical energy, natural phenomena, and abstract capacities such as influence or ability, integrating into diverse linguistic 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.