威力

• Pinyin: wēi lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 威 = 戌 (axe/weapon) + 女 (woman) — authority through force; 力 = pictograph of an arm with muscle — strength

Meaning

Power; might; force. The impressive and often overwhelming force of something — a weapon, a natural phenomenon, or a person.

Used to describe the formidable power of weapons, explosions, natural disasters, and authoritative figures. Carries a strong, sometimes awe-inspiring or threatening quality. More concrete and impressive than 力量 (strength) — 威力 specifically implies might that commands respect or fear.

Examples

1. 台风的威力超乎想象，整栋建筑的玻璃都被震碎了。 The typhoon's power was beyond imagination — every pane of glass in the entire building was shattered.
2. 这款新型导弹的威力据称是上一代的十倍。 The destructive power of this new missile is reportedly ten times that of the previous generation.
3. 这位谈判专家在桌上展示了语言的威力，最终促成了协议。 This master negotiator demonstrated the power of language at the table, ultimately bringing about an agreement.

Usage Guide

Context: military, nature, rhetoric

Tone: impressive

Do Say

• 这种炸药的威力极强，使用时需格外小心。(This explosive is extremely powerful — extreme care must be taken when handling it.)
• 那场暴风雪的威力让整座城市陷入了瘫痪。(The blizzard's might brought the entire city to a standstill.)

Don't Say

• 将威力用于温和或中性力量，如'鼓励的威力' — 威力 carries connotations of formidable, awe-inspiring, or even threatening power; use 力量 or 作用 for gentler forms of influence

Origin & History

Compound of 威 (might, authority, awe-inspiring power) and 力 (force, strength). Together: the power that commands awe — formidable force.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal