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威力 (wēi lì) — formidable power; might

Definition

威力 means 'formidable power' — the awe-inspiring force of things like nature, weapons, or laws, not personal strength (use 力量 for that). It emphasizes impact and intimidating effect.

noun
formidable powermight

Examples

  • 威力。
    Zhè zhǒng xīn xíng fā dòng jī de wēi lì hěn qiáng.
    The might of this new type of engine is very strong.
  • 威力，。
    Miàn duì dà zì rán de wēi lì, rén lèi xiǎn de hěn miǎo xiǎo.
    Facing the formidable power of nature, humans seem very small.
  • 威力。
    Fǎ lǜ de wēi lì zài yú gōng píng zhí xíng.
    The power of law lies in fair enforcement.

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.

威wēiawe
力lìpower

威 (awe) and 力 (power) combine into formidable power.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

威 is made by combining 戌 and 女.

Open 威 →

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 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

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