势

勢

shì

力 + 执

Definitions

shì (noun) power; influence

shì (noun) momentum; force; potential

shì (noun) tendency; trend

shì (noun) situation; circumstances

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 力 represents the meaning and 执 represents the sound. Simplified form of 勢.

Semantic: 力 Phonetic: 执

About

势 is the simplified form of 勢, a phonosemantic compound. The upper element 执 (a reduction of 執, zhí) supplies the sound, while the lower element 力 (lì, 'strength') anchors the meaning in physical force, momentum, and authority. This straightforward structure links the character directly to its original sense of exerted power. Over time, its use expanded to embrace abstract trends, circumstances, and the latent potential or momentum within political, social, or natural settings.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们的形势很好。

Wǒmen de xíngshì hěn hǎo.

Our situation is very good.

他在当地很有势力。

Tā zài dāngdì hěn yǒu shìlì.

He has a lot of power locally.

这种趋势很明显。

Zhè zhǒng qūshì hěn míngxiǎn.

This trend is very obvious.

我们占据了优势。

Wǒmen zhànjù le yōushì.

We have taken the advantage.

经济发展的大势不可逆转。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn de dàshì bùkě nìzhuǎn.

The general trend of economic development is irreversible.

在竞争激烈的市场中，保持优势至关重要。

Zài jìngzhēng jīliè de shìchǎng zhōng, bǎochí yōushì zhìguān zhòngyào.

In a highly competitive market, maintaining advantage is crucial.

该公司利用其技术优势，迅速扩大了市场份额。

Gāi gōngsī lìyòng qí jìshù yōushì, xùnsù kuòdà le shìchǎng fèn'é.

The company used its technological advantage to rapidly expand its market share.

尽管初期处于劣势，但通过创新和努力，他们最终扭转了局势。

Jǐnguǎn chūqī chǔyú lièshì, dàn tōngguò chuàngxīn hé nǔlì, tāmen zuìzhōng niǔzhuǎn le júshì.

Although they were at a disadvantage initially, through innovation and effort, they eventually turned the situation around.

Related Characters

Component: 力

Component: 执

势