力气

• Pinyin: lì qi
• Hanzi breakdown: 力 = pictograph of a muscular arm or plough — strength; 气 = pictograph of rising steam — breath, energy

Meaning

Physical strength; effort. Refers to the muscular power or exertion needed to do something.

Specifically refers to physical strength rather than abstract power or ability. Common collocations include 有力气 (have strength), 没力气 (have no strength), 使力气 (exert strength), and 费力气 (expend effort). Differs from 力量 which can also mean abstract power or force.

Examples

1. 他力气很大，一个人就搬动了那张桌子。 He is very strong — he moved that table all by himself.
2. 跑完马拉松以后，我一点力气都没有了。 After running the marathon, I had no strength left at all.
3. 搬家需要很大的力气，我们多叫几个人帮忙吧。 Moving house takes a lot of effort — let's call a few more people to help.

Usage Guide

Context: physical activity, daily life, work

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他的力气比我大多了。(He is much stronger than me.)
• 我今天没什么力气，可能是没休息好。(I don't have much energy today — maybe I didn't rest well.)

Don't Say

• 知识就是力气 (For abstract power or influence, use 力量 not 力气 — 力气 is specifically physical strength)

Origin & History

Composed of 力 (strength, originally a pictograph of a plough or muscular arm) and 气 (breath, vital energy). Together they describe the physical vigour one possesses.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal