Definition
无力 (wúlì) means 'to be powerless, to lack strength or ability' — it's a verb describing a state of not having enough power or energy to act. It differs from 无法 ('unable to' due to no method or way) and from 无能 ('incompetent' as a personal trait). 乏力 is similar but emphasizes physical weakness or being 'below par'.
verb
to be powerlessto lack the strength or ability (to do something)
Easily confused
- 物理wù lǐsound-alikephysics
- 武力wǔ lìsound-alikemilitary force, armed might
- 无理wú lǐsound-alikeunreasonable; irrational
- 物力wù lìsound-alikematerial resources, physical resources (as distinct from human and financial resources)
Examples
- ，无力。Tā zuìjìn shēntǐ bù hǎo, zǒulù dōu gǎndào wú lì.He hasn't been well lately and feels weak even when walking.
- ，无力。Miànduì zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng, wǒmen wú lì gǎibiàn shénme.Faced with this situation, we are powerless to change anything.
- 无力。Gōngsī wú lì zhīfù yuángōng de gōngzī.The company is unable to pay its employees' salaries.
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