接力

• Pinyin: jiē lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 = to connect, receive; 力 = strength, effort

Meaning

Relay; to take turns working. Passing responsibility or effort from one person to another.

Originally from relay races (接力赛), now broadly used for any sequential effort where one person picks up where another left off. Common in teamwork, rescue operations, or any collaborative effort requiring continuous participation.

Examples

1. 四百米接力赛是本届运动会最精彩的项目。 The 400-meter relay race is the most exciting event of this sports meet.
2. 医护人员接力抢救了三十六个小时，终于把病人从死亡线上拉了回来。 Medical staff worked in relay for thirty-six hours and finally pulled the patient back from the brink of death.
3. 志愿者们接力照顾这只受伤的野生动物。 Volunteers took turns caring for this injured wild animal.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, teamwork, rescue

Tone: cooperative

Do Say

• 这次救援是一场爱心接力。(This rescue was a relay of compassion.)
• 我们接力完成了这个项目。(We completed this project by working in relay.)

Don't Say

• 把'接力'等同于'交接' (Don't equate 接力 with 交接 — 接力 emphasizes continuous collaborative effort, while 交接 is about handing over duties formally)

Origin & History

Composed of 接 (to receive; to continue) + 力 (strength; effort). Literally means to continue or pass on strength/effort.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal