威力

wēilì: 威力 - Power, Might, Force

Quick Summary

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  • 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.

Core Meaning

  • 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.

Character Breakdown

  • 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.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 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.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 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).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 这次台风的威力非常大，吹倒了很多树。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì táifēng de wēilì fēicháng dà, chuī dǎo le hěn duō shù.
    • English: The power of this typhoon was immense; it blew down many trees.
    • Analysis: A classic example of using 威力 to describe a powerful natural phenomenon.
  • Example 2:
    • 谁都不能低估舆论的威力。
    • Pinyin: Shéi dōu bù néng dīgū yúlùn de wēilì.
    • English: No one can underestimate the power of public opinion.
    • Analysis: This shows the figurative use of 威力 for an abstract but powerful social force.
  • Example 3:
    • 这种新武器的威力让敌人感到恐惧。
    • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng xīn wǔqì de wēilì ràng dírén gǎndào kǒngjù.
    • English: The might of this new weapon made the enemy feel terrified.
    • Analysis: A common usage in a military or defense context.
  • Example 4:
    • 很多人相信爱的威力可以战胜一切。
    • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén xiāngxìn ài de wēilì kěyǐ zhànshèng yīqiè.
    • English: Many people believe the power of love can conquer all.
    • Analysis: Here, 威力 is used in a positive, almost poetic way to describe the profound force of an emotion.
  • Example 5:
    • 科学家正在测试这种激光的威力。
    • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiā zhèngzài cèshì zhè zhǒng jīguāng de wēilì.
    • English: The scientists are currently testing the power of this laser.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a scientific or technological context, referring to the measurable force or effect.
  • Example 6:
    • 经济制裁的威力开始显现出来了。
    • Pinyin: Jīngjì zhìcái de wēilì kāishǐ xiǎnxiàn chūlái le.
    • English: The force of the economic sanctions has begun to show.
    • Analysis: 威力 is used here to describe the tangible impact of a political or economic action.
  • Example 7:
    • 在小说里，这个魔法的威力足以摧毁一座城市。
    • Pinyin: Zài xiǎoshuō lǐ, zhège mófǎ de wēilì zúyǐ cuīhuǐ yī zuò chéngshì.
    • English: In the novel, the power of this magic is enough to destroy a city.
    • Analysis: A perfect example of its use in fantasy or fiction to describe supernatural might.
  • Example 8:
    • 他的话很有威力，几句话就说服了所有人。
    • Pinyin: Tā de huà hěn yǒu wēilì, jǐ jù huà jiù shuōfú le suǒyǒu rén.
    • English: His words had great power; he convinced everyone in just a few sentences.
    • Analysis: This is a slightly more advanced usage, where 威力 describes the persuasive force of communication. The structure “有威力” means “to have power/might.”
  • Example 9:
    • 我们亲眼见证了科技改变世界的威力。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen qīnyǎn jiànzhèng le kējì gǎibiàn shìjiè de wēilì.
    • English: We witnessed firsthand the power of technology to change the world.
    • Analysis: A modern, common way to talk about the transformative impact of technology.
  • Example 10:
    • 你知道一颗小小的原子弹的威力有多大吗？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ zhīdào yī kē xiǎoxiǎo de yuánzǐdàn de wēilì yǒu duō dà ma?
    • English: Do you know how much power a small atomic bomb has?
    • Analysis: A common question pattern to ask about the magnitude of something's 威力.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The “False Friend” Trap: 威力 (wēilì) vs. 力量 (lìliàng)
    • This is the most common point of confusion. 力量 (lìliàng) means “strength,” “force,” or “energy” in a general sense. It's the inherent capacity. 威力 (wēilì) is the *manifested might* or *impact* of that strength, usually on a large scale.
    • Think of it this way: A person has 力量 (strength) in their arms. The punch they throw has 威力 (power/impact).
    • Incorrect: 我没有威力打开这个罐子。 (Wǒ méiyǒu wēilì dǎkāi zhège guànzi.) - “I don't have the might to open this jar.” (Sounds strange, too grand)
    • Correct: 我没有力量打开这个罐子。 (Wǒ méiyǒu lìliàng dǎkāi zhège guànzi.) - “I don't have the strength to open this jar.”
  • 威力 (wēilì) vs. 权力 (quánlì)
    • Don't confuse 威力 with 权力 (quánlì). 权力 is “authority” or “political power”—the right to command and make decisions. 威力 is the physical or tangible force used to enforce that authority or affect the world.
    • Example: A president has 权力 (authority). The army under their command has 威力 (might).

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 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.