Keywords: 体力, tili, physical strength in Chinese, stamina in Chinese, energy, Chinese word for physical exertion, 体力好, 体力差, physical power, bodily strength, endurance.
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 体力 (tǐlì), which translates to “physical strength,” “stamina,” or “physical energy.” This comprehensive guide explores its use in everyday life, from discussing exercise and demanding jobs to describing health and exhaustion. Understand how 体力 (tǐlì) crucially differs from concepts like “force” (力量) or “mental energy” (精力), and see how it's used in practical examples to talk about being energetic (体力好) or drained (体力差).
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): tǐ lì
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: Physical strength, stamina, or the energy required for physical exertion.
In a Nutshell: Think of 体力 (tǐlì) as your body's “battery level” for physical tasks. It's not just about raw muscle power, but also your endurance and ability to keep going. When someone says their 体力 is good (体力好), it means they have a lot of stamina and don't get tired easily. If it's bad (体力差), they feel weak and get exhausted quickly. It’s the energy you use for everything from climbing stairs to running a marathon.
Character Breakdown
体 (tǐ): This character means “body,” “form,” or “substance.” It refers directly to a person's physical self.
力 (lì): This character means “strength,” “power,” or “force.” It is a pictograph originally depicting a plow, an ancient tool requiring great strength to use, symbolizing physical power.
Together, 体力 (tǐlì) literally means “body strength.” The combination shifts the focus from a momentary display of force to the overall physical energy and endurance capacity of the body.
Cultural Context and Significance
体力 (tǐlì) is a deeply practical and frequently used term in Chinese culture, tied to concepts of health, work, and vitality. In a culture that has historically valued agriculture and manual labor, having good 体力 was essential for productivity and providing for one's family.
Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, “strength” can often imply brute force or muscle mass (e.g., a powerlifter). 体力 (tǐlì) is much closer to the English concept of “stamina” or “endurance.” A bodybuilder might have immense 力量 (lìliàng - force) but poor 体力 (tǐlì) if they get winded after a short run. Conversely, a marathon runner has excellent 体力 (tǐlì) but may not be able to lift a very heavy weight. 体力 emphasizes sustained energy output rather than a single, powerful action. It's a key indicator of one's overall 健康 (jiànkāng - health) and ability to function effectively throughout the day.
Practical Usage in Modern China
体力 (tǐlì) is a common word used in a wide range of everyday contexts. It's neither overly formal nor slang.
Describing Health and Fitness: People frequently use 体力 to describe their general physical condition. You might hear `我最近体力不太好 (Wǒ zuìjìn tǐlì bù tài hǎo)` meaning “My stamina hasn't been great lately.”
Work and Labor: The term is used to classify jobs. 体力劳动 (tǐlì láodòng) means “manual labor,” while 脑力劳动 (nǎolì láodòng) means “mental labor” or “knowledge work.” A physically demanding job is described as `很费体力 (hěn fèi tǐlì)`, meaning it “consumes a lot of physical energy.”
Sports and Exercise: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts talk about building (锻炼 duànliàn) or restoring (恢复 huīfù) their 体力.
Age and Recovery: It's common to hear people discussing how age affects their 体力 or how they need time to recover their 体力 after an illness.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他每天都跑步，所以体力很好。
Pinyin: Tā měitiān dōu pǎobù, suǒyǐ tǐlì hěn hǎo.
English: He runs every day, so his stamina is very good.
Analysis: A classic example of using 体力 to mean stamina or physical fitness. 体力好 (tǐlì hǎo) is a very common and positive collocation.
Example 2:
这个工作太累了，非常耗费体力。
Pinyin: Zhège gōngzuò tài lèi le, fēicháng hàofèi tǐlì.
English: This job is too tiring; it's extremely physically demanding.
Analysis: 耗费 (hàofèi), like 费 (fèi), means “to consume” or “to expend.” This sentence emphasizes the draining nature of a task on one's physical energy reserves.
English: I just recovered from my illness; my physical strength hasn't fully returned yet.
Analysis: 恢复体力 (huīfù tǐlì), “to recover physical strength,” is a standard phrase used after illness, intense exercise, or hard work.
Example 4:
搬家真不是个轻松活儿，对体力是个大考验。
Pinyin: Bānjiā zhēn búshì ge qīngsōng huór, duì tǐlì shì ge dà kǎoyàn.
English: Moving is really not an easy job; it's a big test of your physical stamina.
Analysis: This shows 体力 being “tested” (考验 kǎoyàn), highlighting its role as a personal resource that can be challenged.
Example 5:
随着年龄的增长，老年人的体力会慢慢下降。
Pinyin: Suízhe niánlíng de zēngzhǎng, lǎoniánrén de tǐlì huì mànmàn xiàjiàng.
English: As people get older, their physical stamina will gradually decline.
Analysis: A neutral, descriptive sentence often heard in discussions about health and aging. 下降 (xiàjiàng) means “to decline” or “decrease.”
Example 6:
别看他瘦，他的体力可充沛了。
Pinyin: Bié kàn tā shòu, tā de tǐlì kě chōngpèi le.
English: Don't be fooled by how thin he is; he has abundant physical energy.
Analysis: 充沛 (chōngpèi) means “abundant” or “plentiful” and is a strong, positive adjective to describe 体力. It implies a deep well of energy.
Example 7:
连续工作了十个小时后，他感到体力不支。
Pinyin: Liánxù gōngzuòle shí gè xiǎoshí hòu, tā gǎndào tǐlì bùzhī.
English: After working for ten hours straight, he felt his physical strength give out (felt exhausted).
Analysis: 体力不支 (tǐlì bùzhī) is a set phrase (chengyu-like) meaning “to be exhausted” or “to collapse from exhaustion.” It's slightly more formal or literary.
Example: After a day of moving furniture, you lack 体力. After a day of studying for an exam, you lack 精力. You can be physically fine but mentally drained (没有精力), or mentally sharp but physically exhausted (没有体力).
Related Terms and Concepts
`力量 (lìliàng)` - Distinction: Refers to momentary raw strength or force, not endurance.
`精力 (jīnglì)` - Distinction: Refers to mental energy, focus, and concentration.
`力气 (lìqi)` - Close Synonym: A more colloquial term for physical strength, often interchangeable with 力量 in simple contexts (e.g., `没力气 - no strength`). It is less commonly used for long-term stamina.
`健康 (jiànkāng)` - Broader Concept: Health. Good 体力 is considered a key component of being 健康.
`锻炼 (duànliàn)` - Related Verb: To exercise or train, which is the primary way to improve one's 体力.
`劳动 (láodòng)` - Related Noun/Verb: Labor or work. Often specified as 体力劳动 (manual labor) or 脑力劳动 (mental labor).
`疲劳 (píláo)` - Antonym Concept: Fatigue, exhaustion. This is the state of having low or depleted 体力.
`恢复 (huīfù)` - Related Verb: To recover or restore. Frequently used in the phrase 恢复体力 (huīfù tǐlì).
`耐力 (nàilì)` - Close Synonym: Endurance, patience. While 体力 covers general physical energy, 耐力 specifically emphasizes the ability to endure or withstand hardship over time, making it a very close synonym in sports contexts.