精力

• Pinyin: jīng lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 精 = 米 (rice) + 青 (blue/green, phonetic) — refined, essential + 力 = pictograph of a muscular arm, meaning strength

Meaning

Energy; vigour; stamina. Refers to the mental and physical energy a person has for tasks and activities.

Focuses on the capacity to do work or engage in activities, encompassing both mental concentration and physical stamina. Different from 力气 (physical strength) or 能力 (ability/capability). Commonly used with verbs like 花 (spend), 投入 (invest), and 集中 (concentrate).

Examples

1. 年轻人精力充沛，可以同时做很多事情。 Young people are full of energy and can do many things at the same time.
2. 他把所有精力都投入到了工作中。 He poured all his energy into his work.
3. 我最近精力不够，总觉得很累。 I haven't had enough energy lately; I always feel tired.

Usage Guide

Context: work, health, daily life

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 你应该把精力集中在学习上。(You should concentrate your energy on studying.)
• 带小孩需要花很多精力。(Looking after small children takes a lot of energy.)

Don't Say

• 我没有精力搬这个箱子 (精力 is about stamina/mental energy, not raw physical strength — say 我没有力气搬这个箱子)

Origin & History

Composed of 精 (essence, spirit, refined) and 力 (strength, power), literally 'essential strength' — the vital energy one can direct toward effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal