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魄力 (pò lì) — decisiveness, boldness (the ability to act decisively and take initiative)

Definition

A noun for the drive and boldness to act decisively, used for people (often leaders) who take initiative. Stronger than 勇气, which names courage more generally, and closer to 气魄 in force.

noun
decisivenessboldness (the ability to act decisively and take initiative)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 魄力，。
    Tā zuò shì hěn yǒu pò lì, cóng bú hài pà shī bài.
    He acts with great decisiveness and never fears failure.
  • 魄力。
    Zhè wèi lǐng dǎo zhě yǐ pò lì chū míng.
    This leader is known for his boldness.
  • 魄力，。
    Méi yǒu pò lì, nǐ jiù wú fǎ tuī dòng gǎi gé.
    Without boldness, you cannot push reform forward.

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.

魄pòspirit
力lìstrength

The sense of 魄, spirit, is combined with 力, strength, to mean boldness or decisive drive.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 魄 →

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 6Personality & Traits

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