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实力 (shí lì) — actual strength, capability (of a person, organization, or country)

Definition

实力 refers to real, demonstrated strength or capability — of a person, team, company, or country — not just raw force. Unlike 力量 (general power/force) or 力气 (physical strength), it implies competitive ability backed by resources or skill.

noun
actual strengthcapability (of a person, organization, or country)

Examples

  • 实力。
    Zhōng guó de jīng jì shí lì yuè lái yuè qiáng.
    China's economic strength is growing stronger and stronger.
  • 实力。
    Wǒ men gōng sī de shí lì hěn qiáng.
    Our company has great strength.
  • 实力。
    Tā de shí lì zài zhè cì bǐ sài zhōng wán quán biǎo xiàn le chū lái.
    His ability was fully demonstrated in this competition.

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.

实shíactual
力lìstrength

实力 combines 实 (actual) and 力 (strength) to mean real capability.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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
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