力

lì

noun HSK 3 #1,258

Meanings

A pictograph of a muscular arm or a plow. Also a common radical in effort-related characters.

Tā de lì hěn dà.

He is very strong.

Wǒmen yào jìnlì bāngzhù tā.

We should try our best to help him.

Zhīshi jiù shì lìliang.

Knowledge is power.

usage

力 is a very productive character that combines with many others: 努力 (effort), 能力 (ability), 压力 (pressure), 魅力 (charm), 动力 (motivation).

history

The character 力 depicts a plow or a muscular arm, representing physical strength. It's one of the oldest Chinese characters.

力 lì