功力

• Pinyin: gōng lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 功 = skill achieved through sustained effort; 力 = pictograph of a muscular arm — power, strength

Meaning

Depth of skill; inner power. The level of mastery or cultivated inner strength accumulated through sustained training and practice.

Deeper and more internal than 功底. Whereas 功底 refers to the foundational base, 功力 conveys the energy and power generated from long cultivation. Used in martial arts (内功功力深厚), traditional arts, literary writing, and academic work. 功力深厚 is the highest praise for a seasoned practitioner.

Examples

1. 这位武术大师内功功力深厚，数十年苦修方达到如今的境界。 This martial arts master has profound inner strength, the result of decades of intense training.
2. 读他的诗，可以感受到一种历经岁月沉淀的深厚功力。 Reading his poems, you can sense a deep mastery refined over time.
3. 年轻棋手虽有才气，但功力尚浅，与老将对弈仍显不足。 The young chess player is talented, but his skills still lack depth; against a seasoned veteran, he still comes up short.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, arts, mastery, writing, evaluation

Tone: evaluative

Do Say

• 他的书法功力深厚，一笔一画都透着多年的修炼。(His calligraphy reveals deep skill — every stroke reflects years of devoted practice.)
• 这篇文章文字简练，可见作者的文字功力不凡。(This article's concise language reveals the author's exceptional command of writing.)

Don't Say

• 将'功力'用于描述体力或物理力量 — 功力 refers to cultivated inner skill or mastery, not physical strength; use 力气 or 体力 for physical strength

Origin & History

功 (skill/merit cultivated through effort) + 力 (power; strength)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers