How to Write 努 (nǔ) — Meaning “exert; strive”

Imagine a slave (奴) who must use all their strength (力) to push a heavy rock. This picture of 'slave + strength' helps you recall that 努 means to exert effort or work hard.

First write the top part 奴 (stroke order: 女 then 又), then add 力 below. Keep the 奴 section slightly wider and the 力 more compact, so the whole character stays balanced—avoid making the bottom 力 too large.

努 has 奴 (slave) above 力 and means 'exert effort', while 功 has 工 (work) and 力 meaning 'achievement'. 加 has 力 on the left and 口 (mouth) on the right meaning 'add'. Visually, 努 is top-bottom, 功 is left-right, and 加 is left-right with a mouth.

努 is most common in the word 努力 (nǔ lì) meaning 'to work hard' or 'effort', used daily in encouragement like '加油, 努力!' (Keep going, work hard!). Another use is 努嘴 (nǔ zuǐ) for 'pouting' or 'pursing lips', showing a different kind of exertion with facial muscles.

Common words containing 努 include: 努力 (nǔ lì) — effort; work hard; 努嘴 (nǔ zuǐ) — Pout; purse one's lips; 努力工作 (nǔ lì gōng zuò) — Work hard.