大力

• Pinyin: dà lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 大 = person with spread arms; 力 = pictograph of a muscular arm

Meaning

Vigorously; energetically. With great strength or effort.

Used as an adverb to indicate doing something with significant force or enthusiasm. Common in official or policy contexts (大力发展, 大力支持). Emphasizes commitment and substantial investment of resources.

Examples

1. 政府大力支持中小企业的发展，出台了很多优惠政策。 The government strongly supports the development of small and medium enterprises, issuing many preferential policies.
2. 学校大力提倡素质教育，增加了很多课外活动。 The school vigorously promotes quality education and has added many extracurricular activities.
3. 公司大力推广这款新产品，投入了大量广告费。 The company is aggressively promoting this new product and has invested heavily in advertising.

Usage Guide

Context: policy, business

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 我们要大力发展绿色能源。(We must vigorously develop green energy.)
• 大力推进改革创新。(Energetically push forward reform and innovation.)

Don't Say

• 大力常用于正式或政策性语境，日常对话中用'使劲'或'努力'更自然 (大力 is common in formal or policy contexts — in everyday conversation, 使劲 or 努力 is more natural)

Origin & History

Combines 大 (great) with 力 (strength/effort), meaning to apply great force or effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal