自然力 (zì rán lì) — natural forces (such as wind, water, earthquakes, etc.)

Definition

Refers to the physical forces of nature (wind, water, earthquakes, etc.) that act on the world independently of humans. A more scientific, formal term than the everyday 自然 ('nature').

noun
natural forces (such as wind, water, earthquakes, etc.)

Examples

  • 自然力。
    zì rán lì Duì rén lèi shēng huó de yǐng xiǎng hěn dà.
    Natural forces have a great impact on human life.
  • 自然力。
    Gǔ dài rén wú fǎ dǐ kàng qiáng dà de zì rán lì.
    Ancient people could not resist powerful natural forces.
  • 自然力。
    Zhè xiē jiàn zhù néng chéng shòu gè zhǒng zì rán lì de kǎo yàn.
    These buildings can withstand the test of various natural forces.

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.

自然nature
自zìself然ránso
主谓Subject + predicate
力lìforce

自然 refers to nature, and 力 to force, giving forces of nature.

Characters in this word

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

假借jiǎjièLater borrowed for its sound alone — the picture has nothing to do with today’s meaning.

自 originally drew a nose. It was borrowed purely for its sound to write 自, so the picture and the meaning are unrelated.

Open 自 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →

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 →

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