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精力 (jīng lì) — energy, vigor (of a person)

Definition

精力 is the personal energy a person has for mental or physical tasks. Unlike 能源 (energy as a resource/power source) or 干劲 (drive and motivation at work), it refers to stamina and capacity, not fuel or enthusiasm.

noun
energyvigor (of a person)
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，精力。
    Tā gōng zuò hěn máng, dàn jīng lì hái shì hěn hǎo.
    He is busy with work, but his energy is still good.
  • 精力，。
    Wǒ zuì jìn jīng lì bú gòu, xū yào duō xiū xi.
    I haven't had enough energy recently; I need more rest.
  • 精力。
    Zuò yùn dòng kě yǐ ràng nǐ gèng yǒu jīng lì.
    Doing exercise can give you more energy.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

精jīngvital energy
力lìstrength

精 (vital energy) and 力 (strength) together suggest a person's energy.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
青
青qīng精jīng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

精 pairs 米 (rice) with 青, which gives the sound; the character originally meant polished rice.

Open 精 →

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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