使劲

• Pinyin: shǐ jìn
• Hanzi breakdown: 使 = 亻(person) + 吏 (official); 劲 = 力 (strength) + 圣 (phonetic), simplified from 勁

Meaning

To exert force; to make an effort; to try hard.

Used for physical exertion such as pushing, pulling, or lifting, as well as figuratively for putting effort into an activity. Very common in spoken Chinese, often used as an encouragement to try harder.

Examples

1. 你再使劲推一下，门就开了。 Push a little harder and the door will open.
2. 他使劲跑，终于赶上了公交车。 He ran as hard as he could and finally caught the bus.
3. 孩子使劲拉着妈妈的手不放。 The child held onto his mother's hand tightly and wouldn't let go.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, sports

Tone: encouraging

Do Say

• 使劲！再用力一点就好了！(Push harder! Just a little more force and you've got it!)
• 她使劲睁开眼睛，但还是很困。(She tried hard to keep her eyes open, but she was still very sleepy.)

Don't Say

• 请您使劲完成这份报告。(Don't use 使劲 for intellectual work in formal contexts — use 努力 instead.)

Origin & History

Compound of 使 (to make, to cause) and 劲 (strength, force), literally 'to use strength.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal