力
lì
- Pinyin
- lì
- Pinyin (Plain)
- li
- Tone
- 4
- Strokes
- 2
- Radical
- 力
- Readings
- lìliTone: 4surname LiOrder: 0Primary
- Stroke Order Code
- Speed
- Stroke Order Data
- ["M 521 525 Q 600 540 679 548 Q 704 549 709 537 Q 718 518 712 470 Q 693 293 656 200 Q 637 142 617 124 Q 604 111 576 120 Q 539 132 505 144 Q 480 151 497 129 Q 546 74 573 33 Q 583 9 606 16 Q 628 17 654 47 Q 732 122 767 421 Q 774 488 801 526 Q 820 551 810 563 Q 792 585 751 603 Q 723 619 691 605 Q 621 580 527 561 L 468 550 Q 303 531 241 532 Q 216 536 216 522 Q 215 510 240 492 Q 271 468 303 478 Q 382 499 461 514 L 521 525 Z", "M 461 514 Q 392 231 161 88 Q 142 75 123 60 Q 107 48 123 46 Q 139 45 182 62 Q 267 101 330 161 Q 402 224 449 318 Q 507 445 521 525 L 527 561 Q 558 717 573 745 Q 585 767 565 778 Q 507 820 474 810 Q 458 804 466 786 Q 496 723 468 550 L 461 514 Z"]
- Meaning
- The character **「力」** basically means **“strength” or “power”**, especially physical strength or force used to do work. It can also refer more generally to **effort or ability**, as in “to do one’s best” (尽力).
- Metadata
- Locale: enCached At: 5/8/2026, 2:25:56 PM
Usage
The character 力 (lì) basically means “strength,” “power,” or “force,” and learners most often meet it in this sense. On its own, it can refer to physical strength or effort (e.g., 体力 physical strength, 努力 to make an effort / work hard). It also appears in words about capability or effectiveness, like 力量 (strength, power) and 力气 (physical energy, “muscle”). In everyday language and beginner textbooks, it often shows up in phrases about working hard, using effort, or having enough energy to do something. Learners quickly also see 力 as a common component in other characters and words. As a radical, it appears in characters related to strength, work, or exertion, such as 动/動 (to move), 办/辦 (to handle, to manage), and 功 (achievement, merit). Recognizing 力 as “strength/force” helps make these combinations more memorable and gives a clue to their meanings, so many beginners are specifically taught to notice it as both an independent character and a semantic component inside other characters.
Handwriting Notes
力 is a compact, slightly slanted character that often “leans forward” in natural handwriting, giving a sense of motion or force. Visually, it’s made of a short top part and a longer, curved downward stroke, forming a shape that’s wider at the top and tapers as it goes down. The left side tends to be straighter, while the right side usually curves inward and then flares or hooks slightly at the end, which helps it stand out from similar shapes. In everyday handwriting, people vary how strongly they curve the main stroke, how sharp the lower turn is, and how much the whole character slants to the right. Some writers make it more angular and upright, others more rounded and flowing; the bottom part can be a clear corner or more of a smooth bend. Despite these differences, the overall compact, leaning form and the distinctive “drop then sweep” of the main stroke make 力 recognizable. Modern AI handwriting recognition systems are trained on many such style variations so they can reliably identify 力 on touchscreens or in digitized handwritten notes, even when it’s written quickly or less neatly.
Description
力 is a common Chinese character meaning “strength,” “power,” or “force.” It is used both on its own (e.g., physical strength) and as a component in many other characters related to effort or energy.
Common Words
- 力li4power
- 得力de2 li4able
- 抓力zhua1 li4grip
- 火力huo3 li4fire
- 热力re4 li4heat
Example Sentences
我喜欢力。
wo3 xi3 huan5 li4
I like power.
得力很常见。
de2 li4 hen3 chang2 jian4
得力 is very common.
我们在学习抓力。
wo3 men5 zai4 xue2 xi2 zhua1 li4
We are learning grip.
这个火力很重要。
zhe4 ge5 huo3 li4 hen3 zhong4 yao4
This fire is important.
请写一下“力”。
qing3 xie3 yi1 xia4 li4
Please write '力'.