Chinese word

潜力

Pronunciation

Pinyinqián lì

Meaning

  • nounpotential

Example

这个孩子还有很多潜力。zhè ge hái zi hái yǒu hěn duō qián lì

This child still has a lot of potential.

Illustration for 潜力 (potential)

More examples

投资者认为这只股票仍有潜力。tóu zī zhě rèn wéi zhè zhǐ gǔ piào réng yǒu qián lì

Investors think this stock still has potential.

Core concept

An unseen store of capacity that can become real achievement.

Common phrases

  • 培养潜力péi yǎng qián lì

    cultivate potential

  • 成为潜力股chéng wéi qián lì gǔ

    become a promising stock

  • 利用潜力lì yòng qián lì

    tap potential

Similar words

能力néng lì: Usable ability to perform tasks or solve problems, including learned skills and judgment.
实力shí lì: Proven strength or level of ability shown through actual actions and results.
潜能qián néng: Latent inner ability that can emerge when the right conditions are present.
天赋tiān fù: Inborn talent or sensitivity that appears naturally, even without training.

Definition in Chinese

尚未完全表现出来、可以被开发或发挥的能力或可能性。shàng wèi wán quán biǎo xiàn chū lái ké yǐ bèi kāi fā huò fā huī de néng lì huò kě néng xìng

Word origin

The word 潜力 (qiánlì, "potential") joins 潜 (qián, "to lie hidden") and 力 (lì, "ability or strength"), linking hiddenness with power that can still be developed.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, this noun often evaluates a person's future growth, so it is common in comments about students, athletes, employees, and young performers.

Other meanings

  • latent abilitynoun

Opposites

  • 短板duán bǎnweak pointnoun

Related words

  • 潜力股qián lì gǔpromising stocknoun

Word lists with this word