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弹力 (tán lì) — elastic force; elasticity; spring force

Definition

Refers to the restoring force an elastic object exerts when stretched or compressed, or the property of elasticity itself. Common in physics and material descriptions.

noun
elastic forceelasticityspring force

Examples

  • 弹力，。
    Zhè zhǒng cái liào de tán lì hěn hǎo, kě yǐ lā shēn dào yuán lái de liǎng bèi.
    This material has good elasticity and can be stretched to twice its original length.
  • 弹力。
    Xiàng pí jīn de tán lì yòng jiǔ le huì jiǎn ruò.
    The elastic force of rubber bands weakens after prolonged use.
  • 弹力。
    Tán huáng de tán lì qǔ jué yú tā de cái zhì hé zhí jìng.
    The spring force of a spring depends on its material and diameter.

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.

弹tánelastic
力lìforce

弹力 joins 弹 (elastic) and 力 (force) to name the force of elasticity.

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 彈; 弹 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
弓弓gōng
Sound part声符shēngfú
單
單dān彈tán
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 彈 pairs 弓 (bow) with the sound part 單; the simplified 弹 is a shorthand.

Open 弹 →

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
Physics & Chemistry

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