阻力

• Pinyin: zǔ lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 阻 = 阝+ 且 (terrain obstacle); 力 = 力 (force — pictograph of a plough)

Meaning

Resistance; opposition; drag. The force or factor that opposes motion, change, or progress.

Used in physics (air resistance, friction), social science (institutional resistance to reform), and everyday speech (obstacles to achieving a goal). A versatile formal term appearing in academic, political, and business contexts.

Examples

1. 改革方案一经提出便遭遇了来自既得利益群体的强大阻力，推进工作举步维艰。 As soon as the reform plan was proposed, it ran into strong resistance from vested interest groups, making progress extremely difficult.
2. 飞行器在穿越大气层时需要克服巨大的空气阻力，因此隔热材料至关重要。 When a spacecraft passes through the atmosphere, it must overcome enormous air resistance, so heat-shielding materials are crucial.
3. 新政策的推行面临的最大阻力来自内部，而非外部竞争对手。 The biggest resistance to implementing the new policy comes from within, not from outside competitors.

Usage Guide

Context: physics, politics, business, reform

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这项政策调整面临的最大阻力来自传统行业的从业者，他们担心利益受损。(The greatest resistance faced by this policy adjustment comes from practitioners in traditional industries who are worried about losing their interests.)
• 创业初期，资金短缺和市场认知不足是两大主要阻力。(In the early stage of entrepreneurship, lack of funding and insufficient market recognition are the two main sources of resistance.)

Don't Say

• 他给我很大阻力 — though understandable, the more natural phrasing is 他给我制造了很多阻碍 or 他的反对让我很难推进; 阻力 in interpersonal use sounds slightly formal or stilted

Origin & History

阻 (obstruct) + 力 (force/power)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal