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体力 (tǐ lì) — physical strength

Definition

体力 refers specifically to bodily/physical strength for tasks and endurance. Compared to 力气 (raw physical effort in the moment) and 力量 (broader 'force' or 'strength', also abstract), 体力 emphasizes the body's capacity and stamina.

noun
physical strength

Examples

  • 体力。
    Měi tiān pǎo bù kě yǐ zēng qiáng tǐ lì.
    Running every day can build physical strength.
  • 体力。
    Bān zhè xiē xiāng zi xū yào hěn qiáng de tǐ lì.
    Moving these boxes requires strong physical strength.
  • 体力。
    Tā shēng bìng hòu tǐ lì màn màn huī fù le.
    After being sick, his physical strength slowly recovered.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

体tǐbody
力lìstrength

体 as body and 力 as strength combine to mean physical strength.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 體; 体 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
骨骨gǔbone
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ體tǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 體 pairs 骨 (bone) with 豊 as a sound part; this note is about 體, not about the parts of 体.

Open 体 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

力 is drawn as either an arm bending out from the side of the body or a wooden plough.

Open 力 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Fitness & Exercise

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