吃力

chīlì

adjective HSK 5 #18,667

Meanings

Literally 'consuming strength' — requiring great effort.

爬这座山很吃力。

Pá zhè zuò shān hěn chīlì.

Climbing this mountain is very strenuous.

他学数学学得很吃力。

Tā xué shùxué xué de hěn chīlì.

He finds studying math very difficult.

搬这个箱子太吃力了。

Bān zhège xiāngzi tài chīlì le.

Moving this box is way too strenuous.

usage

吃力不讨好 (chīlì bù tǎo hǎo) = a thankless task — you put in great effort but get no appreciation. Very useful expression.

吃 chī

力 lì