力
lì
power
At a glance · 力

Listen

Audio is synthesized in your browser: Mandarin for the character and Shuowen text, native voices for every translation. No downloads.

Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

力 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 力 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 力 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 力 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 力 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 力 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

「力」甲骨文象耒形,象农具之形,金文小篆一脉相承。

What the sketch shows

力 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「力」本为古代农具(耒)之象形,引申为气力、力量。

Structure

象形字,象翻土农具耒之形,后借指体力、能力。

At a glance

Pinyinlì
Radical力
Strokes2
UnicodeU+529B
Character type象形
Theme人体

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English power power, capability, influence; Kangxi radical 19
Français force Force, énergie. «孝当竭力» : faire de son mieux.
Español fuerza Fuerza, energía. «孝当竭力»: hacer lo mejor posible.
العربية قوة قوة، طاقة. «孝当竭力»: فعل الأفضل.
Русский сила Сила, энергия. «孝当竭力»: сделать всё возможное.

Common words

  • 力量lì liàngstrength
  • 努力nǔ lìstrive