马力 (mǎ lì) — (classifier) horsepower (unit of power)

Definition

马力 is a unit of power (horsepower) used for engines and machines. 匹 is the matching measure word used in the same context, e.g. 五百匹马力.

classifier

horsepower (unit of power)

马力。
Zhè liàng sài chē de fā dòng jī yǒu wǔ bǎi mǎ lì.
This race car's engine has 500 horsepower.
马力。
Xiǎo xíng jiā yòng qì chē yì bān bú dào yì bǎi mǎ lì.
Small family cars usually have under 100 horsepower.
马力？
Zhè tái jī qì xū yào duō shǎo mǎ lì cái néng gōng zuò?
How much horsepower does this machine need to run?

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.

Horse and power combine to name a unit of strength, horsepower.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 馬; 马 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 馬 shows a horse with its head facing left, a flowing mane, and two legs standing vertically.

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.

Appears in