HSK · Level 75
60 words
Chinese word
士气
Pronunciation
Pinyinshì qì
Meaning
- nounmorale
Example
在困难的时候，士气很容易下降。zài kùn nán de shí hòu shì qì hěn róng yì xià jiàng
Morale can easily drop during difficult times.
More examples
他的表扬大大提高了全队的士气。tā de biǎo yáng dà dà tí gāo le quán duì dī shì qì
His praise greatly boosted the morale of the whole team.
Core concept
A group's collective spirit, which supports effort, confidence, and steady action.
Common phrases
提高士气tí gāo shì qì
raise morale
振奋士气zhèn fèn shì qì
boost morale
打击士气dǎ jī shì qì
damage morale
Similar words
斗志dòu zhì: A strong desire and determination to face difficulties and keep fighting.
精神jīng shén: The mental state and energy used when taking on a task.
气势qì shì: The force and lively atmosphere that show outwardly in a person, group, or event.
冲劲chòng jìn: A strong but often short-lived burst of energy to take action.
Definition in Chinese
表示集体在行动时的气势与精神动力，影响其执行力和表现。biǎo shì jí tǐ zài xíng dòng shí de qì shì yǔ jīng shén dòng lì yíng xiǎng qí zhí xíng lì hé biǎo xiàn
Word origin
士 (shì, "member of the warrior or scholar class") + 气 (qì, "breath or energy") formed a term for the spirit of soldiers and came to describe the shared mental energy of many kinds of groups.
Usage tips
- Pairing the word with verbs meaning rise, fall, recover, boost, or weaken makes changes in a group's energy clear in conversation.