Chinese word

体力

Pronunciation

Pinyintǐ lì

Meaning

  • nounphysical strength

Example

我没有足够的体力去爬山。wǒ méi yǒu zú gòu de tǐ lì qù pá shān

I don't have enough physical strength to climb the mountain.

Illustration for 体力 (physical strength)

More examples

经过几个月的训练，他的体力明显增强。jīng guò jǐ gè yuè de xùn liàn tā de tǐ lì míng xiǎn zēng qiáng

After several months of training, his physical strength increased noticeably.

Core concept

The body's reserve for staying active through effort without tiring quickly.

Common phrases

  • 锻炼体力duàn liàn tǐ lì

    build physical strength

  • 增强体力zēng qiáng tǐ lì

    increase physical strength

  • 消耗体力xiāo hào tǐ lì

    use up physical strength

  • 体力不足tǐ lì bù zú

    lack physical strength

Similar words

力气lì qì: The strength produced by the muscles to lift, push, or move something.
精力jīng lì: Energy in both mind and body that supports continued activity or work.
耐力nài lì: Endurance that allows continued exercise or work despite fatigue and physical strain.
体能tǐ néng: Overall physical ability for basic movements such as running and jumping.

Definition in Chinese

指身体在长时间劳动或运动中保持活动所需的持久能力与抗疲劳程度。zhǐ shēn tǐ zài cháng shí jiān láo dòng huò yùn dòng zhōng bǎo chí huó dòng suǒ xū de chí jiǔ néng lì yǔ kàng pí láo chéng dù

Word origin

体力 (tǐlì, "physical strength") combines 体 (tǐ, "body") + 力 (lì, "strength"), linking bodily capacity with the force used in activity.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may use "strength" for one powerful effort, but this word also covers the capacity needed to continue an activity over time.

Other meanings

  • staminanoun
  • endurancenoun
  • energynoun

Related words

  • 体力劳动tǐ lì láo dòngphysical labornoun
  • 体力消耗tǐ lì xiāo hàophysical exhaustionnoun

Word lists with this word