How to Write 力 (lì) — Meaning “power / strength”

Imagine the character 力 looks like a person flexing their bicep: the horizontal hook forms the upper arm and shoulder, and the left-falling stroke is the forearm tightening. This visual of a strong arm bending helps you connect the shape to the meaning "power" or "strength."

Write the horizontal hook first: start at the top left, go right, then curve down and hook left. Then add the left-falling stroke from the top of the hook down to the lower left. A common mistake is writing the left-falling stroke before the hook—always do the hook first—and making the hook too wide or angular instead of smoothly curved.

力 is a standalone character meaning "strength." 劝 adds 又 (again) on the left, forming a word meaning "to persuade" (using repeated effort). 办 adds two dots above 力, meaning "to handle" or "to do" (applying strength to a task). Visually, 劝 is wider with two parts, 办 has dots on top, while 力 stands alone with no extra components.

力 appears in common HSK words like 努力 (work hard), 压力 (pressure), and 能力 (ability). Chinese culture often associates 力 with diligence and perseverance, as seen in the idiom 全力以赴 (go all out) and everyday encouragement like 加油努力 (keep up the effort). It conveys the value of sustained physical or mental exertion.

Common words containing 力 include: 努力 (nǔ lì) — effort; work hard; 压力 (yā lì) — pressure or stress; 能力 (néng lì) — ability; capability.