财力

• Pinyin: cái lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 财 = 贝 (shell/money) + 才, meaning wealth; 力 = a pictograph of muscular arm, meaning power

Meaning

Financial resources; financial strength; economic power. The money and assets available to a person or organization.

Refers to the overall financial capacity to fund activities or investments. Often discussed in terms of sufficiency (财力雄厚 = financially strong, 财力有限 = limited resources). Used for organizations, governments, and individuals.

Examples

1. 这家初创公司财力有限，只能精打细算。 This startup has limited financial resources and can only budget carefully.
2. 以目前的财力，我们还支撑不起这么大的项目。 With our current financial capacity, we can't support such a large project.
3. 政府财力有限，需要优先保障民生。 Government finances are limited and need to prioritize people's livelihoods.

Usage Guide

Context: business, planning, assessment

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 我们财力不足以支持这个计划。(Our financial resources are insufficient to support this plan.)
• 需要评估自己的财力。(You need to assess your financial capacity.)

Don't Say

• 我今天没有财力。(For daily spending money, use 钱 or 现金 — 财力 refers to overall financial capacity)

Origin & History

财 (wealth) + 力 (power, strength). Together meaning the power or capacity derived from wealth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal