气势

• Pinyin: qì shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 气 = 气 (energy/breath); 势 = 执 (hold) + 力 (force) (power, influence, momentum)

Meaning

Momentum; imposing power; aura of force. The powerful presence or forceful energy that a person, group, or phenomenon projects.

Used for military formations, natural phenomena, performances, and leaders. 气势磅礴 describes overwhelming grandeur. Can describe a speech, sports team, landscape, or artistic work that commands awe.

Examples

1. 这支球队在主场迸发出惊人的气势，令对手在比赛开始不久便节节败退，溃不成军。 The team unleashed an astonishing momentum on its home court, and the opponent started to crumble early in the game and fall back step by step.
2. 瀑布奔腾而下，气势磅礴，激起漫天水雾，令每一位观者无不叹为观止，驻足流连。 The waterfall thundered down with overwhelming force, throwing up mist everywhere and leaving every viewer in awe, lingering to take it in.
3. 演讲者声若洪钟，气势逼人，全场数百名听众无不屏息凝神，专注聆听每一句话。 The speaker’s voice rang out like a bell, with an imposing presence; hundreds of listeners held their breath and listened intently to every word.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, military, nature, performance

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 这场演讲气势如虹，深深打动了在场每一位听众，赢得了经久不息的掌声与共鸣。(This speech had the momentum of a rainbow, deeply moving every listener present and earning sustained, heartfelt applause.)
• 我方球队以压倒性的气势从比赛开局便主导了全场节奏，最终以大比分赢得了胜利。(Our team dominated the entire match from the opening whistle with overwhelming momentum, ultimately winning by a large margin.)

Don't Say

• 那个孩子很有气势地哭了 — 气势 implies large-scale, powerful force; for children or trivial actions use 劲头/架势 instead

Origin & History

气 (energy/breath) + 势 (power/momentum) — the force and power of projected energy

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal