The character 力 — “strength”: how to write it and what it means
strength
The Chinese character 力 is read lì and means “strength”. Below: the stroke order step by step, what the character is made of and the words it appears in.
Stroke order: how to write 力
力 has 2 strokes. At each step the new stroke is highlighted — write them in the same order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical, a frame before what is inside it, and the bottom stroke of the frame last.
To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for 力, with strokes to trace and empty squares.
What 力 is made of
It appears in many signs: 动, 男, 助.
The parts of a character hint at its meaning or its reading — more in the article “Chinese character radicals”.
Words with 力
- 努力try hard; hardworkingHSK 3
- 压力pressure, stressHSK 4
- 力气strength (physical)HSK 4
- 听力listening; hearingHSK 4
- 能力abilityHSK 4
- 巧克力chocolateHSK 4
- 用力exert oneselfHSK 5
- 有力strong, powerfulHSK 5
- 精力energy, strengthHSK 5
- 魅力charmHSK 5
- 尽力do one's bestHSK 5
- 人力manpowerHSK 5
- 大力vigorouslyHSK 5
- 实力actual strength, capabilityHSK 5
- 体力physical strengthHSK 5
- 力量strength, powerHSK 5
Frequently asked questions
How do you write the character 力?
力 has 2 strokes. They follow the usual rules: top to bottom, left to right, horizontal before vertical, outside before inside. The order of each stroke is shown on this page.
What does 力 mean?
力 means “strength”. It appears in 努力 (“try hard”), 压力 (“pressure”), 力气 (“strength”), 听力 (“listening”).
How do you pronounce 力?
力 is read lì. The tone is part of the reading: with another melody it becomes another syllable.
How many strokes does 力 have?
2 strokes.
More characters on the page “Chinese characters with meanings” and in the list of HSK characters by level; whole words are in the dictionary.
Write 力 yourself
In the lessons you write characters stroke by stroke with a finger or a mouse, and the course checks the order. You can start for free, no sign-up needed.
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