人力

• Pinyin: rén lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 人 = pictograph of person; 力 = pictograph of muscle/strength

Meaning

Manpower; human resources; human labor. The work force or effort provided by people.

In business: 人力资源 (human resources/HR), 人力成本 (labor cost). Also: 人力车 (rickshaw), 人力所及 (within human capability). Contrast with 机械 (machine power).

Examples

1. 这个项目需要大量的人力投入。 This project requires a large investment of manpower.
2. 公司的人力资源部正在招聘新员工。 The company's HR department is recruiting new employees.
3. 有些事情不是人力所能改变的。 Some things cannot be changed by human effort.

Usage Guide

Context: business, management, resources

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 人力不足。(Short-staffed./Insufficient manpower.)
• 节省人力成本。(Save on labor costs.)

Don't Say

• 我需要更多人力帮忙搬家。(Too formal — just say 我需要更多人帮忙)

Origin & History

人 (rén, person) + 力 (lì, power/strength). Human power/strength.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal