wēilì: 威力 - Power, Might, Force

Keywords: weili, 威力, Chinese power, might, force, destructive power, 威力 meaning, weili vs liliang, learn Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary, Chinese words for power

Summary: Learn the meaning of 威力 (wēilì), a crucial Chinese word for describing power, might, or force. This page explains how 威力 (wēilì) differs from other words like 力量 (lìliàng) and 权力 (quánlì), and how it's used to describe the immense, often destructive power of everything from typhoons and weapons to the profound impact of love or a new idea. Explore its cultural context and master its usage with 10+ practical example sentences.

Pinyin (with tone marks): wēilì

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: The power, might, or force of something, especially when it is formidable, impressive, or destructive.

In a Nutshell: 威力 (wēilì) isn't just generic “power” like electricity or simple physical strength. It refers to the *demonstrated might* or *impactful force* of something. Think of the power that makes you take a step back in awe or fear: the 威力 of a tsunami, the 威力 of a bomb, or even the figurative 威力 of a game-changing speech. It emphasizes the scale and effect of the power.

威 (wēi): This character means “might,” “awe-inspiring power,” or “prestige.” It conveys a sense of imposing presence and the ability to intimidate or command respect.

力 (lì): This is one of the most fundamental characters, meaning “strength,” “force,” or “power.” Its shape is often traced back to a pictogram of a plow or a flexed muscle, representing physical exertion.

When combined, 威力 (wēilì) literally translates to “awe-inspiring strength.” The `威 (wēi)` character elevates the simple `力 (lì)` from mere physical strength to a force that has a significant, often overwhelming, impact on its surroundings.

In Chinese culture, 威力 (wēilì) is a term frequently associated with the grand forces of nature, the might of empires, and the devastating power of military technology. In historical narratives and martial arts (wuxia) fiction, a master's ultimate technique or an emperor's army is described as having immense 威力.

To understand its uniqueness, contrast 威力 (wēilì) with the general Western concept of “power.” In English, “power” can be very abstract, like “political power” or “corporate power,” which refer to authority and influence. The Chinese term for this is usually 权力 (quánlì). 威力, on the other hand, is almost always tied to a tangible or observable effect. It’s less about the *right* to exert control and more about the *raw capacity* to produce a massive impact. A CEO has `权力` (authority) to run a company, but a nuclear reactor has `威力` (power/might) to light up a city or cause a disaster.

威力 (wēilì) is a versatile noun used in both formal and informal contexts to describe a wide range of powerful forces.

Natural Disasters & Science: This is a classic usage. It's the go-to word for describing the force of a typhoon (台风的威力), an earthquake (地震的威力), or a volcano (火山的威力).

Military and Weapons: It's frequently used in news and discussions about military hardware. You'll hear about the 威力 of a new missile, a tank, or an explosion (爆炸的威力).

Figurative & Abstract Forces: The term extends beautifully to abstract concepts. One can talk about the power of an idea (思想的威力), the force of public opinion (舆论的威力), the impact of a new law (法律的威力), or even the overwhelming power of love (爱的威力).

Arts and Entertainment: It can describe the emotional impact or captivating force of a performance, a film, or a piece of music. For example, “This movie's emotional 威力 is incredible.”

Connotation: The term itself is neutral. It simply describes the magnitude of force. The context makes it positive (the awe-inspiring 威力 of a symphony) or negative (the terrifying 威力 of a weapon).

力量 (lìliàng) - Strength, force. The general, underlying capacity. 威力 is a powerful manifestation of 力量.

权力 (quánlì) - Authority, power (in a political or organizational sense). The right to rule or command.

能力 (nénglì) - Ability, capability. What an individual or entity can do.

强大 (qiángdà) - (Adjective) Powerful, formidable, strong. An adjective often used to describe something that possesses 威力.

武力 (wǔlì) - Military force, martial force. A specific type of power that often has great 威力.

杀伤力 (shāshānglì) - Destructive power, lethality. A more specific and negative type of 威力 that focuses on the capacity to harm or kill.

影响力 (yǐngxiǎnglì) - Influence. Can be thought of as a “soft power” counterpart to the “hard power” of 威力.

气势 (qìshì) - Momentum; imposing manner or aura. Describes the feeling of power or intimidation, while 威力 is the power itself.