noun HSK 3 #1,258

Meanings

  1. 1 power
  2. 2 force
  3. 3 strength

Characters

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

Examples

HSK 1
Tā de lì hěn dà.
He is very strong.
HSK 3
Zhīshi jiùshì lìliang.
Knowledge is power.
HSK 4
Wǒmen yào jìnlì bāngzhù tā.
We should try our best to help him.

Tips

usage
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).

Components

pictograph
strength; power
Two strokes - a pictograph of a plough or, in another reading, a flexed muscular arm. The downward hook plus the slanting stroke trace the curved blade and handle of an ancient digging tool, the prototypical image of physical effort. Self-radical (Kangxi #19) - atomic, not decomposed further. Stands at the root of (field-strength = man), (add force), (lend strength), (strive).

Radical

Strength Kangxi #19

Highly productive radical. Marks characters about physical effort, capability, and forceful action: , , , , , , , . Most often sits at the bottom or right of the host character, signaling that the word names some kind of exertion.

Used in

View all 28 →
Showing 6 of 28 · default form 力
dòng
to move · to act
bàn
to handle · to do
jiā
to add · to increase
to rein in · to compel; to force
lēi
to strap tightly · to bind
jìn
strength; energy; vigor · enthusiasm; drive; spirit

Stroke Order