力

See also: カ, 九, 丸, and ㄌ

力	U+529B, 力 CJK UNIFIED IDEOGRAPH-529B

← 劚
[U+529A]

CJK Unified Ideographs

劜 →
[U+529C]

⼒	U+2F12, ⼒ KANGXI RADICAL POWER

← ⼑
[U+2F11]

Kangxi Radicals

⼓ →
[U+2F13]

力	U+F98A, 力 CJK COMPATIBILITY IDEOGRAPH-F98A

← 黎
[U+F989]

CJK Compatibility Ideographs

曆 →
[U+F98B]

More information Stroke order ...

Stroke order

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More information Stroke order ...

Stroke order

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Han character

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Radical 19 力

力 (Kangxi radical 19, 力+0, 2 strokes, cangjie input 大尸 (KS), four-corner 4002₇, composition ⿻𠃌丿)

Kangxi radical #19, ⼒.

Derived characters

Appendix:Chinese radical/力
仂, 伤, 𭂇, 㔹, 叻, 㘦, 㘯, 𭒹, 𡯄, 𡴽, 幼, 忇, 扐, 氻, 𤜜, 阞, 边, 攰, 𰃌, 㫑, 朸, 𣦺, 牞, 玏, 肋, 𥘋, 㽖, 糼, 𦔳, 𦘓, 𬜑, 𧖩, 助, 𡖎, 㱝, 𪵶, 觔, 𧲡, 𧴧, 赲, 𧾼, 䡃, 䣦, 釛, 飭(饬), 𩖙, 𤟋, 䯇, 𩱹, 𭱛, 𬂿, 𬈆, 𩵓, 鳨, 𫜋, 𪋾, 𣾗, 𢣛
𬩳, 𫻧, 𣂒, 𭤧, 历, 另, 夯, 屴, 𢆲, 艻, 𪭊, 男, 穷, 竻, 虏, 𩫸, 𪧔, 𩾜, 𣪤, 𤼶, 𡉂, 𢖰, 𤰛, 𧴥, 𬮅, 为, 辦, 𫝓, 䏮, 朂, 䇟

Descendants

ㄌ

References

Kangxi Dictionary: page 146, character 5
Dai Kanwa Jiten: character 2288
Dae Jaweon: page 327, character 31
Hanyu Da Zidian (first edition): volume 1, page 364, character 4
Unihan data for U+529B
Unihan data for U+F98A

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More information simp. and trad., alternative forms ...

simp. and trad.		力
alternative forms		𠠲 ⿻力丶

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Wikipedia has articles on:

力 (Written Standard Chinese^?)
力 (Cantonese)
力 (Gan)
li̍t (Hakka)
la̍t (Southern Min)
力 (Wu)

Glyph origin

More information Historical forms of the character 力, Shang ...

Historical forms of the character 力
Shang	Western Zhou	Spring and Autumn	Warring States			Shuowen Jiezi (compiled in Han)	Liushutong (compiled in Ming)	Kangxi Dictionary (compiled in Qing)
Oracle bone script	Bronze inscriptions	Bronze inscriptions	Bronze inscriptions	Chu slip and silk script	Qin slip script	Small seal script	Transcribed ancient scripts	Ming typeface

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More information Old Chinese ...

	Old Chinese
勒	*rɯːɡ
肋	*rɯːɡ
扐	*rɯːɡ
仂	rɯːɡ, rɯɡ
艻	*rɯːɡ
朸	rɯːɡ, rɯɡ
玏	*rɯːɡ
泐	rɯːɡ, rɯɡ
阞	*rɯːɡ
竻	*rɯːɡ
力	*rɯɡ
屴	*rɯɡ
鳨	*rɯɡ

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Characters in the same phonetic series (力) (Zhengzhang, 2003)

Pictogram (象形) – alternative interpretation, either an arm bending out from the side of the body, or a wooden plough. The original version was 𠠲 and the letter ㄌ in zhuyin alphabet was inspired by this character.

See also the original version of 爭, in which another plow can be seen. Unrelated to 工 and perhaps to 耒 since they are two different tools. Also unrelated to 另.

Etymology

From Proto-Sino-Tibetan *k-ra (“strength; to win; classifier for people”) + *-k (STEDT; Schuessler, 2007). Cognate with Burmese အား (a:, “strength; force”); Proto-Loloish *ra² (“strength”), whence Nuosu ꊋ (we); Panyi Bai [script needed] (ɣɯ̱⁴², “strength”); Central Bai hhep (“strength”). A causative derivative is 飭 (OC rhək) (Schuessler, 2007).

Schuessler (2007) also suggests an etymological connection with 來 (OC *m·rɯːɡ, “to come”).

Pronunciation

More information Variety, Location ...

Variety	Location	edit 力
Mandarin	Beijing	/li⁵¹/
	Harbin	/li⁵³/
	Tianjin	/li⁵³/
	Jinan	/li²¹/
	Qingdao	/li⁴²/
	Zhengzhou	/li²⁴/
	Xi'an	/li²¹/
	Xining	/l̩⁴⁴/
	Yinchuan	/li¹³/
	Lanzhou	/li¹³/
	Ürümqi	/li²¹³/
	Wuhan	/ni²¹³/
	Chengdu	/ni³¹/
	Guiyang	/ni²¹/
	Kunming	/li³¹/
	Nanjing	/liʔ⁵/
	Hefei	/liəʔ⁵/
Jin	Taiyuan	/liəʔ²/
	Pingyao	/liʌʔ⁵³/
	Hohhot	/liəʔ⁴³/
Wu	Shanghai	/liɪʔ¹/
	Suzhou	/liəʔ³/
	Hangzhou	/liəʔ²/
	Wenzhou	/lei²¹³/
Hui	Shexian	/li²²/
Hui	Tunxi	/li¹¹/
Xiang	Changsha	/li²⁴/
Xiang	Xiangtan	/ni²⁴/
Gan	Nanchang	/liʔ⁵/
Hakka	Meixian	/lit̚⁵/
Hakka	Taoyuan	/lit̚⁵⁵/
Cantonese	Guangzhou	/lek̚²/
	Nanning	/lek̚²²/
	Hong Kong	/lik̚²/
Min	Xiamen (Hokkien)	/lik̚⁵/ /lat̚⁵/
	Fuzhou (Eastern Min)	/liʔ⁵/
	Jian'ou (Northern Min)	/li⁴²/
	Shantou (Teochew)	/lak̚⁵/
	Haikou (Hainanese)	/lek̚⁵/ /lak̚³/

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More information Rime, Character ...

Rime
Character	力
Reading #	1/1
Initial (聲)	來 (37)
Final (韻)	職 (134)
Tone (調)	Checked (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	III
Fanqie	林直切
Baxter	lik
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/lɨk̚/
Pan Wuyun	/lɨk̚/
Shao Rongfen	/liek̚/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/lik̚/
Li Rong	/liək̚/
Wang Li	/lĭək̚/
Bernhard Karlgren	/li̯ək̚/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	lì
Expected Cantonese Reflex	lik⁶

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More information Character, Reading # ...

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	力
Reading #	1/1
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	lì
Middle Chinese	‹ lik ›
Old Chinese	/*k.rək/
English	strength
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

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More information Zhengzhang system (2003), Character ...

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	力
Reading #	1/1
No.	7854
Phonetic component	力
Rime group	職
Rime subdivision	0
Corresponding MC rime	力
Old Chinese	/*rɯɡ/

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Mandarin
(Standard)
(Pinyin): lì (li⁴)

(Zhuyin): ㄌㄧˋ

(Chengdu, Sichuanese Pinyin): ni²

(Xi'an, Guanzhong Pinyin): lǐ

(Nanjing, Nanjing Pinyin): li̊q

(Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): ли (li, I)
Cantonese
(Guangzhou–Hong Kong, Jyutping): lik⁶

(Dongguan, Jyutping++): ngeak⁸

(Taishan, Wiktionary): let⁵

(Yangjiang, Jyutping++): lik⁶
Gan (Wiktionary): lit⁶
Hakka
(Sixian, PFS): li̍t

(Hailu, HRS): lid^ˋ

(Meixian, Guangdong): lid⁶

(Changting, Changting Pinyin): di⁵
Jin (Wiktionary): lieh⁴
Northern Min (KCR): lì / sā̤
Eastern Min (BUC): lĭk
Puxian Min (Pouseng Ping'ing): lih⁷
Southern Min
(Hokkien, POJ): la̍t / le̍k / lia̍k / lit

(Teochew, Peng'im): lag⁸

(Leizhou, Leizhou Pinyin): lag⁸ / lig⁴
Southern Pinghua (Nanning, Jyutping++): lik⁵
Wu (Wugniu)
- (Northern): ⁸liq / ⁸lieoq
- (Jinhua): ⁸liq
Xiang
(Changsha, Wiktionary): li⁶

(Loudi, Wiktionary): li⁴

(Hengyang, Wiktionary): li²

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: lì
  - Zhuyin: ㄌㄧˋ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: lì
  - Wade–Giles: li⁴
  - Yale: lì
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: lih
  - Palladius: ли (li)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li⁵¹/
- (Chengdu)
  - Sichuanese Pinyin: ni²
  - Scuanxua Ladinxua Xin Wenz: li
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ni²¹/
- (Xi'an)
  - Guanzhong Pinyin: lǐ
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li²¹/
- (Nanjing)
  - Nanjing Pinyin: li̊q
  - Nanjing Pinyin (numbered): liq⁵
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /liʔ⁵/
- (Dungan)
  - Cyrillic and Wiktionary: ли (li, I)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li²⁴/
  (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: lik⁶
  - Yale: lihk
  - Cantonese Pinyin: lik⁹
  - Guangdong Romanization: lig⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɪk̚²/
- (Dongguan, Guancheng)
  - Jyutping++: ngeak⁸
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ŋək̚²²/
- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: let⁵
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /let̚³²/
- (Yangjiang Yue, Jiangcheng)
  - Jyutping++: lik⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɪk̚⁵⁵/
Gan
- (Nanchang)
  - Wiktionary: lit⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lit̚⁵/
Hakka
- (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
  - Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: li̍t
  - Hakka Romanization System: lid
  - Hagfa Pinyim: lid⁶
  - Sinological IPA: /lit̚⁵/
- (Hailu, incl. Zhudong)
  - Hakka Romanization System: lid^ˋ
  - Sinological IPA: /lit²/
- (Meixian)
  - Guangdong: lid⁶
  - Sinological IPA: /lit̚⁵/
- (Changting)
  - Changting Pinyin: di⁵
  - Sinological IPA: /ti²¹/
Jin
- (Taiyuan)⁺
  - Wiktionary: lieh⁴
  - Sinological IPA (old-style): /liəʔ²/
Northern Min
- (Jian'ou)
  - Kienning Colloquial Romanized: lì / sā̤
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li⁴²/, /sɛ⁵⁵/

Note:

lì - literary;
sā̤ - vernacular.

Eastern Min
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: lĭk
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /l̃iʔ⁵/
Puxian Min
- (Putian)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: lih⁷
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /liʔ⁴/
- (Xianyou)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: lih⁷
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /liʔ²⁴/
Southern Min
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Jinjiang, Nan'an, Hui'an, Yongchun, Zhangpu, Changtai, Longyan, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: la̍t
  - Tâi-lô: la̍t
  - Phofsit Daibuun: lat
  - IPA (Xiamen, Taipei, Kaohsiung): /lat̚⁴/
  - IPA (Nan'an, Hui'an): /lat̚²³/
  - IPA (Zhangpu): /lat̚¹⁴/
  - IPA (Changtai): /lat̚³/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /lat̚¹²¹/
  - IPA (Longyan): /lat̚³²/
  - IPA (Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Yongchun): /lat̚²⁴/
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Nan'an, Yongchun, Changtai, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: le̍k
  - Tâi-lô: li̍k
  - Phofsit Daibuun: lek
  - IPA (Xiamen, Taipei, Kaohsiung): /liɪk̚⁴/
  - IPA (Zhangzhou): /liɪk̚¹²¹/
  - IPA (Yongchun): /liɪk̚²⁴/
  - IPA (Changtai): /lek̚³/
  - IPA (Nan'an): /liɪk̚²³/
- (Hokkien: Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Hui'an)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: lia̍k
  - Tâi-lô: lia̍k
  - Phofsit Daibuun: liak
  - IPA (Hui'an): /liak̚²³/
  - IPA (Quanzhou, Jinjiang): /liak̚²⁴/
- (Hokkien: Longyan)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: lit
  - Tâi-lô: lit
  - Phofsit Daibuun: lid
  - IPA (Longyan): /lit̚⁵/

Note:

la̍t - vernacular;
le̍k/lia̍k/lit - literary.

- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: lag⁸
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: la̍k
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lak̚⁴/
- (Leizhou)
  - Leizhou Pinyin: lag⁸ / lig⁴
  - Sinological IPA: /lak̚²/, /lik̚⁵/

Note:

lag8 - vernacular;
lig4 - literary.

Southern Pinghua
- (Nanning Pinghua, Tingzi)
  - Jyutping++: lik⁵
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /lɪk̚²⁴/
Wu
- (Northern: Shanghai, Jiading, Chongming, Chuansha, Suzhou, Changzhou, Jiaxing, Tongxiang, Haining, Haiyan, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo)
  - Wugniu: ⁸liq
  - MiniDict: lih^入
  - MiniDict: lieh^入
  - Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): ⁵liq
  - Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /liɪʔ¹²/
  - Sinological IPA (Jiading): /liɪʔ¹²/
  - Sinological IPA (Chongming): /ɦliəʔ²/
  - Sinological IPA (Chuansha): /liɪʔ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Suzhou): /liɪʔ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Changzhou): /liɪʔ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Jiaxing): /liɪʔ²²/
  - Sinological IPA (Tongxiang): /liəʔ²²/
  - Sinological IPA (Haining): /liəʔ²²/
  - Sinological IPA (Haiyan): /liəʔ²²/
  - Sinological IPA (Hangzhou): /liəʔ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Shaoxing): /lieʔ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Ningbo): /liɪʔ¹²/
- (Northern: Songjiang)
  - Wugniu: ⁸lieoq
  - Sinological IPA (Songjiang): /liʌʔ²²/
- (Jinhua)
  - Wugniu: ⁸liq
  - Sinological IPA (Jinhua): /liəʔ²¹²/
Xiang
- (Changsha)
  - Wiktionary: li⁶
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li²⁴/
- (Loudi)
  - Wiktionary: li⁴
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li³⁵/
- (Hengyang)
  - Wiktionary: li²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /li¹¹/

Dialectal data

Middle Chinese: lik

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*k.rək/

(Zhengzhang): /*rɯɡ/

Definitions

力

physical strength; physical power; energy
她個子雖小但力大驚人。 [MSC, trad.]
她个子虽小但力大惊人。 [MSC, simp.]
Tā gèzǐ suī xiǎo dàn lì dà jīngrén. [Pinyin]
For a small woman she has surprising strength.
force; strength; power
汽力 ― qìlì ― steam power

藥力／药力 ― yàolì ― efficacy of a drug

力量 ― lìliàng ― power

攻擊力／攻击力 ― gōngjīlì ― firepower
(physics) force
這個力的方向與位移相同。 [MSC, trad.]
这个力的方向与位移相同。 [MSC, simp.]
Zhè ge lì de fāngxiàng yǔ wèiyí xiāngtóng. [Pinyin]
This force is the same direction as the displacement.
ability; capability
能力 ― nénglì ― ability

他對古董很有鑑賞力。 [MSC, trad.]
他对古董很有鉴赏力。 [MSC, simp.]
Tā duì gǔdǒng hěn yǒu jiànshǎng lì. [Pinyin]
He has an eye for antiques.
power and influence; might
(literary) to make an effort; to strive; to endeavor; to work hard
with all one's might; doing all in one's power
力爭／力争 ― lìzhēng ― to work hard for

力挽狂瀾／力挽狂澜 ― lìwǎnkuánglán ― to do one's utmost to save a desperate situation
a surname: Li

Synonyms

(physical strength):

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力息 (lì-sĭ) (Northern Min)
力氣 / 力气 (lìqi)
力水 (lik⁶ seoi²) (Cantonese, Hakka)
力量 (lìliàng)
勁頭 / 劲头 (jìntóu) (colloquial)
強力 / 强力 (qiánglì)
旅力 (lǚlì) (literary)
氣力 / 气力 (qìlì)
筋力 (jīnlì)
膂力 (lǚlì)
體力 / 体力 (tǐlì)

(ability):

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一手
人才 (réncái)
伎倆 / 伎俩 (jìliǎng) (literary)
俊才 (jùncái)
兩手 / 两手 (liǎngshǒu)
力量 (lìliàng)
功力 (gōnglì)
功夫 (gōngfu) (especially in martial arts)
天才 (tiāncái) (genius)
才具 (cáijù) (formal)
才力 (cáilì)
才器 (cáiqì) (literary)
才幹 / 才干 (cáigàn)
才情 (cáiqíng)
手段 (shǒuduàn)
手法 (shǒufǎ)
手眼 (shǒuyǎn)
才能 (cáinéng)
手腕 (shǒuwàn)
手腕子 (shou³ onn³ zr) (Xiang)
才華 / 才华 (cáihuá)
技巧 (jìqiǎo)
把式 (bǎshì) (dialectal)
技能 (jìnéng)
技藝 / 技艺 (jìyì)
技術 / 技术 (jìshù)
招數 / 招数 (zhāoshù)
本事
本領 / 本领 (běnlǐng)
材幹 / 材干 (cáigān) (Classical Chinese)
能力 (nénglì)
能為 / 能为 (néngwéi) (literary, dialectal)
能耐 (néngnài) (colloquial)
能量 (néngliàng)
花頭 / 花头 (Wu)
著數 / 着数
解數 / 解数
資力 / 资力 (zīlì)
路數 / 路数 (lùshù)
身手 (shēnshǒu)
道行

(function):

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作用 (zuòyòng)
功能 (gōngnéng)
性能 (xìngnéng)
機能 / 机能 (jīnéng)
職能 / 职能 (zhínéng)

(to make an effort):

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一力 (yīlì)
下力 (xiàlì)
不遺餘力 / 不遗余力 (bùyíyúlì)
僶俛 / 𠊟俯 (mǐnmiǎn) (literary)
儘力 / 尽力 (jǐnlì) (archaic)
全力以赴 (quánlìyǐfù)
出力 (chūlì)
力圖 / 力图 (lìtú)
力求 (lìqiú)
力爭 / 力争 (lìzhēng)
加勁 / 加劲 (jiājìn)
努力 (nǔlì)
勉力 (miǎnlì)
呵嘶呵嘶 (o⁴ sr¹ o⁴ sr¹) (Xiang)
強力 / 强力 (qiánglì) (literary)
悉力 (xīlì) (literary)
打拼 (dǎpīn)
拍拚 (Hokkien, Teochew)
拍灘 / 拍滩 (Xiamen Hokkien)
拼搏 (pīnbó)
搏 (bó) (literary, or in compounds)
摔拍 (Zhangzhou Hokkien)
攢勁 / 攒劲 (zan³ jin⁴) (Xiang)
旅力 (lǚlì) (literary)
極力 / 极力 (jílì)
殫力 / 殚力 (dānlì)
用力 (yònglì)
盡力 / 尽力 (jìnlì)
竭力 (jiélì)
竭盡全力 / 竭尽全力 (jiéjìnquánlì)
落力 (lok⁶ lik⁶) (Cantonese, Pinghua, Hakka, Pinghua, Hokkien, Pinghua, Teochew, Pinghua, Wenzhounese, Pinghua)
賣力 / 卖力 (màilì)
賣力氣 / 卖力气 (mài lìqi)

Compounds

一力 (yīlì)
一臂之力 (yībìzhīlì)
不力 (bùlì)
不自量力 (bùzìliànglì)
不量力
主力 (zhǔlì)
乞力馬扎羅山 / 乞力马扎罗山
人力 (rénlì)
他力
以力服人
伯力 (Bólì)
併力 / 并力 (bìnglì)
依力克其 (Yīlìkèqí)
侵徹力 / 侵彻力
倍力橋 / 倍力桥
假力
健力
側蝕力 / 侧蚀力
傾力 / 倾力
傳染力 / 传染力 (chuánrǎnlì)
儘力 / 尽力 (jǐnlì)
免疫力 (miǎnyìlì)
內力 / 内力
內聚力 / 内聚力
全力 (quánlì)
公信力 (gōngxìnlì)
兵力 (bīnglì)
凝聚力 (níngjùlì)
出力 (chūlì)
分力
分子力
分解力
判斷力 / 判断力 (pànduànlì)
創造力 / 创造力 (chuàngzàolì)
力不到，不為財 / 力不到，不为财
力不副心
力不勝任 / 力不胜任
力不同科
力不從心 / 力不从心 (lìbùcóngxīn)
力不從願 / 力不从愿
力不自勝 / 力不自胜
力主 (lìzhǔ)
力乏兵衰
力作 (lìzuò)
力促 (lìcù)
力倍功半
力偶 (lì'ǒu)
力克 (lìkè)
力分勢弱 / 力分势弱
力力碌碌
力勝 / 力胜
力勸 / 力劝
力困筋乏
力圖 / 力图 (lìtú)
力均勢敵 / 力均势敌
力場 / 力场 (lìchǎng)
力士 (lìshì)
力大無窮 / 力大无穷
力學 / 力学 (lìxué)
力屈勢窮 / 力屈势穷
力屈計窮 / 力屈计穷
力屈道窮 / 力屈道穷
力巴
力平衡
力度 (lìdù)
力弱
力強 / 力强
力役
力征 (lìzhēng)
力微任重
力戒 (lìjiè)
力戰 / 力战 (lìzhàn)
力所能及 (lìsuǒnéngjí)
力把
力拚
力持
力挫
力挽狂瀾 / 力挽狂澜 (lìwǎnkuánglán)
力排眾議 / 力排众议 (lìpáizhòngyì)
力攻 (lìgōng)
力政
力敵勢均 / 力敌势均
力敵萬人 / 力敌万人
力敵萬夫 / 力敌万夫
力有未逮 (lìyǒuwèidài)
力殫財竭 / 力殚财竭
力氣 / 力气 (lìqi)
力水
力求 (lìqiú)
力濟九區 / 力济九区
力爭 / 力争 (lìzhēng)
力田
力畜
力疾
力盛
力盡筋疲 / 力尽筋疲
力盡筋舒 / 力尽筋舒
力矩 (lìjǔ)
力竭 (lìjié)
力臂 (lìbì)
力臣
力荐 (lìjiàn)
力薄才疏
力行 (lìxíng)
力衰
力請 / 力请
力謀 / 力谋
力證 / 力证 (lìzhèng)
力蹙勢窮 / 力蹙势穷
力軟筋麻 / 力软筋麻
力辭不受 / 力辞不受
力透紙背 / 力透纸背
力道
力邀
力避 (lìbì)
力量 (lìliàng)
力錢 / 力钱
力阻
力點 / 力点
功力 (gōnglì)
加力騷 / 加力骚
努力 (nǔlì)
助力 (zhùlì)
努筋拔力
勉力 (miǎnlì)
務力 / 务力
動力 / 动力 (dònglì)
勞力 / 劳力 (láolì)
勠力 (lùlì)
勢力 / 势力 (shìlì)
勢單力薄 / 势单力薄 (shìdānlìbó)
勢均力敵 / 势均力敌 (shìjūnlìdí)
勢窮力孤 / 势穷力孤
勢窮力極 / 势穷力极
匹力撲六 / 匹力扑六
十力
協力 / 协力 (xiélì)
反撞力
合力 (hélì)
吃力 (chīlì)
同心僇力
吸力 (xīlì)
吹灰之力 (chuīhuīzhīlì)
咭力骨碌
回力棒
回力球
回天之力
國力 / 国力 (guólì)
地力 (dìlì)
壓克力 / 压克力 (yākèlì)
壓力 / 压力 (yālì)
外力 (wàilì)
大力 (dàlì)
夯力
奮力 / 奋力 (fènlì)
好力寶 / 好力宝
威力 (wēilì)
媚力 (mèilì)
孤力難為 / 孤力难为 (gū lì nán wéi)
學力 / 学力 (xuélì)
定力 (dìnglì)
宣力
實力 / 实力 (shílì)
工力 (gōnglì)
巧克力 (qiǎokèlì)
巴力 (Bālì)
希力奧斯 / 希力奥斯
帝力 (Dìlì)
平衡力
年輕力壯 / 年轻力壮 (niánqīnglìzhuàng)
并力 (bìnglì)
幻想力
度德量力
引力 (yǐnlì)
引潮力
張力 / 张力 (zhānglì)
強力 / 强力 (qiánglì)
彈力 / 弹力 (tánlì)
影響力 / 影响力 (yǐngxiǎnglì)
後座力 / 后座力 (hòuzuòlì)
後繼乏力 / 后继乏力
得力 (délì)
心力 (xīnlì)
心餘力絀 / 心余力绌 (xīnyúlìchù)
念力 (niànlì)
思力 (sīlì)
怪力亂神 / 怪力乱神 (guàilìluànshén)
悉力 (xīlì)
悉心畢力 / 悉心毕力
惜力 (xīlì)
惟力是視 / 惟力是视
情見力屈 / 情见力屈
想像力 (xiǎngxiànglì)
應力 / 应力 (yìnglì)
戮力 (lùlì)
戰力 / 战力 (zhànlì)
才力 (cáilì)
扭力 (niǔlì)
抗力 (kànglì)
拉力 (lālì)
拔山力
推力 (tuīlì)
掌力
接力 (jiēlì)
接觸力 / 接触力
握力 (wòlì)
摩擦力 (mócālì)
效力 (xiàolì)
斥力 (chìlì)
旅力 (lǚlì)
既判力
日力 (rìlì)
智力 (zhìlì)
智均力敵 / 智均力敌
暴力 (bàolì)
替力
有力 (yǒulì)
有氣沒力 / 有气没力
朱古力 (zhūgǔlì)
格力
核力 (hélì)
核子力
棉薄之力
業力 / 业力
極力 / 极力 (jílì)
權力 / 权力 (quánlì)
權鈞力齊 / 权钧力齐
欣賞力 / 欣赏力
欲振乏力
歇力
武力 (wǔlì)
死力 (sǐlì)
殫力 / 殚力 (dānlì)
殫精畢力 / 殚精毕力
殺傷力 / 杀伤力 (shāshānglì)
毅力 (yìlì)
比權量力 / 比权量力
民力 (mínlì)
氣力 / 气力 (qìlì)
水力 (shuǐlì)
汽力 (qìlì)
法力 (fǎlì)
注意力 (zhùyìlì)
活力 (huólì)
浮力 (fúlì)
潛力 / 潜力 (qiánlì)
潮力發電 / 潮力发电
火力 (huǒlì)
無力 / 无力 (wúlì)
無能為力 / 无能为力 (wúnéngwéilì)
熱力 / 热力 (rèlì)
營力 / 营力
爆發力 / 爆发力 (bàofālì)
物力 (wùlì)
犬馬之力 / 犬马之力 (quǎnmǎzhīlì)
猛力
獨力 / 独力 (dúlì)
獸力車 / 兽力车
理解力 (lǐjiělì)
生力軍 / 生力军 (shēnglìjūn)
生力麵 / 生力面
生命力 (shēngmìnglì)
生產力 / 生产力 (shēngchǎnlì)
用力 (yònglì)
畜力 (chùlì)
畢力同心 / 毕力同心
盡力 / 尽力 (jìnlì)
目力 (mùlì)
省力 (shěnglì)
眼力 (yǎnlì)
破壞力 / 破坏力 (pòhuàilì)
磁力 (cílì)
神力 (shénlì)
神工妙力
視力 / 视力 (shìlì)
科氏力 (kēshìlì)
科里奧利力 (kēlǐ'àolìlì)
稽古之力
窮心劇力 / 穷心剧力
竭力 (jiélì)
競爭力 / 竞争力 (jìngzhēnglì)
筆力 / 笔力 (bǐlì)
筋疲力盡 / 筋疲力尽 (jīnpílìjìn)
筋疲力軟 / 筋疲力软
精力 (jīnglì)
精疲力盡 / 精疲力尽 (jīngpílìjìn)
絕力 / 绝力
綿力 / 绵力 (miánlì)
縛雞之力 / 缚鸡之力
續航力 / 续航力
群力 (qúnlì)
群策群力 (qúncèqúnlì)
耐力 (nàilì)
耳力 (ěrlì)
聯想力 / 联想力
聲雄力猛 / 声雄力猛
聽力 / 听力 (tīnglì)
肆力
肥力 (féilì)
股肱之力
能力 (nénglì)
腦力 / 脑力 (nǎolì)
腳力 / 脚力 (jiǎolì)
膂力 (lǚlì)
自不量力 (zìbùliànglì)
自力 (zìlì)
自然力 (zìránlì)
自食其力 (zìshíqílì)
致力 (zhìlì)
艾力西湖 (Àilìxīhú)
苦力 (kǔlì)
著力 / 着力 (zhuólì)
蓋孜力克 / 盖孜力克 (Gàizīlìkè)
藥力 / 药力 (yàolì)
號召力 / 号召力 (hàozhàolì)
蚊力 (wénlì)
蠻力 / 蛮力 (mánlì)
衝力 / 冲力 (chōnglì)
親和力 / 亲和力 (qīnhélì)
角力
觔力 / 斤力
解像力
觸山之力 / 触山之力
計盡力窮 / 计尽力穷
計窮力屈 / 计穷力屈
計窮力極 / 计穷力极
計窮力盡 / 计穷力尽
記憶力 / 记忆力 (jìyìlì)
誘惑力 / 诱惑力 (yòuhuòlì)
說服力 / 说服力
財力 / 财力 (cáilì)
財匱力絀 / 财匮力绌
財殫力盡 / 财殚力尽
財竭力盡 / 财竭力尽
貲力 / 赀力
費力 / 费力 (fèilì)
資力 / 资力 (zīlì)
賣力 / 卖力 (màilì)
賽力 / 赛力 (Sàilì)
購買力 / 购买力 (gòumǎilì)
赤力力
身強力壯 / 身强力壮 (shēnqiánglìzhuàng)
軍力 / 军力 (jūnlì)
較時量力 / 较时量力
通力 (tōnglì)
道力
運力 / 运力 (yùnlì)
酒力 (jiǔlì)
重力 (zhònglì)
量力而為 / 量力而为 (liànglì'érwéi)
量力而行 (liànglì'érxíng)
量小力微
量時度力 / 量时度力
阻力 (zǔlì)
阿莎力 (āshālì)
陳力就列 / 陈力就列
電力 / 电力 (diànlì)
震撼力
靈力 / 灵力 (línglì)
靜力平衡 / 静力平衡
靜摩擦力 / 静摩擦力
預力 / 预力
願力 / 愿力
風力 / 风力 (fēnglì)
食力 (shílì)
餘力 / 余力 (yúlì)
馬力 / 马力 (mǎlì)
骨力
體力 / 体力 (tǐlì)
鬥力 / 斗力 (dòulì)
鬼力
魄力 (pòlì)
魅力 (mèilì)
魔力 (mólì)
鼎力 (dǐnglì)
齊心同力 / 齐心同力

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (力):

→ Japanese: 力(りき) (riki)
→ Korean: 력(力) (ryeok), 역(力) (yeok)
→ Vietnamese: lực (力)

Others:

→ Proto-Vietic: *k-rək
- Muong: khấc
- Vietnamese: sức

References

“力”, in 漢語多功能字庫 (Multi-function Chinese Character Database)‎, 香港中文大學 (the Chinese University of Hong Kong), 2014–

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Japanese Wikipedia has an article on:

力

Wikipedia ^ja

Kanji

力

(First grade kyōiku kanji)

power, force, strength

Readings

Go-on: りき (riki, Jōyō)
Kan-on: りょく (ryoku, Jōyō)
Kun: ちから (chikara, 力, Jōyō)、りきむ (rikimu, 力む)、つとめる (tsutomeru, 力める)
Nanori: いさお (isao)、いさむ (isamu)、お (o)、か (ka)、ちか (chika)、ちから (chikara)、じから (jikara)、つとむ (tsutomu)、よし (yoshi)

Etymology 1

More information Kanji in this term ...

Kanji in this term
力
ちから Grade: 1
kun'yomi

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From Old Japanese, ultimately from Proto-Japonic *tikara. Compound of Old Japanese elements 霊 (chi, “power, life force, essence”) +‎ 柄 (kara, “source, origin”).

Pronunciation

(Tokyo) ちから [chìkáráꜜ] (Odaka – [3])^[1]^[2]
IPA^(key): [t͡ɕi̥ka̠ɾa̠]

Noun

力(ちから) • (chikara)

Derived terms

力(ちから)足(あし) (chikara ashi): a tensed leg; tensing one's legs; (sumo) the traditional sumo stomp at the beginning of a match
力(ちから)合(あ)わせ (chikara awase): matching strength: a competition of strength; (by extension) a sumo match
力(ちから)軍(いくさ) (chikara ikusa): a test of strength, a competition of strength
力(ちから)石(いし) (chikara ishi): a large stone used as a dumbbell for purposes of tests of strength
力(ちから)一杯(いっぱい) (chikara ippai): with all one's strength, as hard as one can
力(ちから)持(も)ち (chikaramochi): a very strong person
力(ちから)添(ぞ)え (chikarazoe): help, assistance, aid

Proper noun

力(ちから) • (Chikara)

a male given name
a surname

Etymology 2

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Kanji in this term
力
りき Grade: 1
goon

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From Middle Chinese 力 (lik). The goon reading, so likely the initial borrowing. Compare modern Cantonese reading lik⁶.

Pronunciation

(Tokyo) りき [ríꜜkì] (Atamadaka – [1])^[2]
IPA^(key): [ɾʲikʲi]

Affix

力(りき) • (riki)

power, strength
力(りき)学(がく)、力(りき)士(し)、二馬(にば)力(りき)
rikigaku, rikishi, nibariki
“power studies” (dynamics), “strength person” (sumo wrestler), two horsepower

Noun

力(りき) • (riki)

physical strength
(Buddhism) capability, especially mystical power
(Buddhism) the suchness of ability, one of the Ten Suchnesses in Mahayana Buddhism
short for 力者 (rikisha): a strong person
(archaic) short for 車力 (shariki), 力車 (rikisha): a rickshaw
(archaic) a rickshaw operator's wages

Derived terms

動(どう)力(りき) (dōriki, “energy, motive force”)
馬(ば)力(りき) (bariki, “horsepower”)
力(りき)士(し) (rikishi, “sumo wrestler”)

Etymology 3

More information Kanji in this term ...

Kanji in this term
力
りょく Grade: 1
kan'on

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From Middle Chinese 力 (lì), but apparently from a different source dialect or at a different time than 力 (lik). The kan'on reading, so likely a later borrowing. Compare reconstructed Middle Chinese reading /li̯ək/ or Korean reading ryeok.

Only found in compounds and idioms in modern Japanese.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [ɾʲo̞kɯ̟]

Affix

力(りょく) • (ryoku)

strength, power
力(りょく)争(そう)、権(けん)力(りょく)
ryokusō, kenryoku
“strength struggle” (a hard fight), “right power” (authority)

Derived terms

引(いん)力(りょく) (inryoku, “attractive force”)
営(えい)力(りょく) (eiryoku, “geomorphic agent”)
気(き)力(りょく) (kiryoku, “spirit; drive; morale; vigor”)
斥(せき)力(りょく) (sekiryoku, “repulsive force”)
動(どう)力(りょく) (dōryoku, “energy, motive force”)
力(りょく)争(そう) (ryokusō, “test of strength; hard fight”)
努(ど)力(りょく) (doryoku, “effort, endeavor”)
協(きょう)力(りょく) (kyōryoku, “cooperation; working together”)
体(たい)力(りょく) (tairyoku, “bodily strength; physical power”)
魅(み)力(りょく) (miryoku, “allure, charm, glamour”)
実(じつ)力(りょく) (jitsuryoku, “merit, true ability; force”)

References

[1]
NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, editor (1998), NHK日本語発音アクセント辞典 [NHK Japanese Pronunciation Accent Dictionary] (in Japanese), Tokyo: NHK Publishing, Inc., →ISBN
[2]
Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN

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Etymology

From Middle Chinese 力 (MC lik). Perhaps more specifically from Late Middle Chinese 力 (LMC *liə̌k).

More information Historical Readings ...

Historical Readings
Dongguk Jeongun Reading
Dongguk Jeongun, 1448	륵〮 (Yale: lúk)

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Pronunciation

(SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ɾjʌ̹k̚] ~ [jʌ̹k̚]
Phonetic hangul: [력/역]

Hanja

Korean Wikisource has texts containing the hanja:

力

Wikisource 力 (eumhun 힘 력 (him ryeok), word-initial (South Korea) 힘 역 (him yeok))

hanja form^? of [[력/역#Korean:_力|력/역]] (“power; force”) [affix]

Compounds

마력 (魔力, maryeok)
마력 (馬力, maryeok)
강력 (強力, gangnyeok)
권력 (權力, gwollyeok)
근력 (筋力, geullyeok)
노력 (努力, noryeok)
능력 (能力, neungnyeok)
동력 (動力, dongnyeok)
매력 (魅力, maeryeok)
무력 (武力, muryeok)
부력 (浮力, buryeok)
병력 (兵力, byeongnyeok)
세력 (勢力, seryeok)
속력 (速力, songnyeok)
수력 (水力, suryeok)
시력 (視力, siryeok)
실력 (實力, sillyeok)
압력 (壓力, amnyeok)
약력 (弱力, yangnyeok)
역기 (力器, yeokgi)
역도 (力道, yeokdo)
외력 (外力, oeryeok)
인력 (人力, illyeok)
인력 (引力, illyeok)
조력 (助力, joryeok)
조력 (潮力, joryeok)
중력 (重力, jungnyeok)
지력 (智力, jiryeok)
폭력 (暴力, pongnyeok)
풍력 (風力, pungnyeok)
학력 (學力, hangnyeok)
협력 (協力, hyeomnyeok)
화력 (火力, hwaryeok)
효력 (效力, hyoryeok)

References

국제퇴계학회 대구경북지부 (國際退溪學會大邱慶北支部) (2007). Digital Hanja Dictionary, 전자사전／電子字典.

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Han character

力: Hán Việt readings: lực (林(lâm)直(trực)切(thiết))^[1]^[2]^[3]
力: Nôm readings: sức^[1]^[3]^[4], lực^[2]^[3], sực^[3]^[4], sựt^[3]^[4], rực^[1]

chữ Hán form of lực (“physical force”).
Nôm form of sức (“strength; power”).

Compounds

References

[NHK-1] [1]
NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, editor (1998), NHK日本語発音アクセント辞典 [NHK Japanese Pronunciation Accent Dictionary] (in Japanese), Tokyo: NHK Publishing, Inc., →ISBN

[DJR-2] [2]
Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN

[tdcndg-3] [1]
Nguyễn (2014).

[tdcntd-4] [2]
Nguyễn et al. (2009).

[gdhn-5] [3]
Trần (2004).

[btcn-6] [4]
Hồ (1976).

[1]

[2]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Han character

Derived characters

Descendants

See also

References

Glyph origin

Etymology

Pronunciation

Definitions

Synonyms

Compounds

Descendants

References

Kanji

Readings

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Noun

Derived terms

Proper noun

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Affix

Noun

Derived terms

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

Affix

Derived terms

References

Etymology

Pronunciation

Hanja

Compounds

References

Han character

Compounds

References

Translingual

Chinese

Japanese

Korean

Vietnamese