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A2 noun #4,000 most common 10 min read

精力

jingli Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 精力 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 精力 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '精力' (jīnglì) as a simple way to say you are 'not tired' or you 'can do things.' While it's a bit more advanced than '累' (lèi - tired), you will hear it in basic sentences like '我有精力' (I have energy). At this stage, just remember that it's a noun for the 'power' inside you. You might use it when talking about playing sports or studying. It's the opposite of being sleepy. Even if you don't use it much yourself, you will hear parents say it about children: '他很有精力' (He has a lot of energy). Focus on the '有' (have) and '没有' (don't have) patterns. It's a great word to add to your vocabulary to describe how you feel beyond just 'good' or 'bad.'

By A2, you should start using '精力' to describe your daily life and work. You can combine it with basic verbs like '花' (huā - to spend). For example, '我花了很多精力学习汉语' (I spent a lot of energy studying Chinese). You'll also encounter it in descriptions of people. If someone is very active, they are '精力充沛' (jīnglì chōngpèi) - though '充沛' is B1, you can start recognizing the phrase now. You should also know how to use it to decline things politely: '我没有精力去派对' (I don't have the energy to go to the party). This level is about moving from simple adjectives to using '精力' as a resource that you manage. It helps you talk about your schedule and why you might be busy or exhausted.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '精力' in professional and academic contexts. You'll learn to use the verb '集中' (jízhōng - to concentrate). '集中精力' is a very common phrase in classrooms and offices. You should also understand the difference between '精力' and '体力' (physical strength). You might say, '虽然我很有体力，但是今天我没有精力写报告' (Although I have physical strength, I don't have the mental energy to write the report today). You'll also start seeing it in more complex sentence structures like '把精力放在...上' (put energy into...). This level requires you to understand that energy is a finite resource. You might discuss '浪费精力' (wasting energy) on things that aren't important. It becomes a key word for discussing productivity and life balance.

At the B2 level, '精力' appears in more abstract and social discussions. You might talk about a company's energy, or the '精力' of a whole generation. You will use more sophisticated adjectives like '旺盛' (wàngshèng - vigorous) or '枯竭' (kūjié - exhausted/depleted). You should be able to discuss the concept of 'energy management' (精力管理) versus 'time management.' At this level, you might also encounter it in literature or news reports about public figures. For example, '这位领导人精力过人' (This leader has extraordinary energy). You should also be aware of its relation to '精神' (spirit) and be able to choose between them accurately in writing. Your sentences will become more idiomatic, using '精力' to describe passion and dedication to a cause.

At the C1 level, you understand the philosophical and cultural roots of '精力.' You can discuss its connection to the traditional concept of 'Jing' (essence) in Chinese medicine and philosophy. You will recognize it in formal speeches and high-level essays, often paired with words like '投身' (tóushēn - to devote oneself) or '倾注' (qīngzhù - to pour into). You should be able to use it to describe the 'vitality' of an era or a cultural movement. For instance, '那个时代的艺术家们把全部精力都倾注在了创作中' (The artists of that era poured all their energy into their creations). You'll also be sensitive to the nuances of '精力' in different registers—from a doctor's advice to a CEO's motivational speech. Your usage should be flawless, including its use in complex four-character idioms or classical-style phrasing.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '精力' and its many synonyms. You can use it with poetic precision. You might use it in a debate about the limits of human potential or in a deep analysis of a literary character's motivations. You understand how the word has evolved in modern Mandarin compared to its classical roots. You can effortlessly switch between '精力,' '元气,' '心力,' and '神采' to convey exact shades of meaning. You might use it in a sentence like '岁月的流逝并未损耗他分毫的精力' (The passage of time did not diminish his energy in the slightest). You are also capable of using it ironically or metaphorically in high-level social commentary. At this stage, '精力' is not just a word for 'energy' but a tool for expressing the very essence of human life and effort.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

精力 in 30 Seconds

精力 (jīnglì) is a noun meaning 'energy' or 'vigor,' specifically referring to human mental and physical capacity.
It is commonly used with verbs like 'have' (有), 'spend' (花), 'waste' (浪费), and 'concentrate' (集中).
Unlike the English word 'energy,' it cannot be used for electricity or physical science; it is only for people.
Common adjectives to describe it include 'abundant' (充沛), 'vigorous' (旺盛), and 'limited' (有限).

The Chinese word 精力 (jīnglì) is a foundational noun that every learner should master early because it describes a universal human experience: energy. However, unlike the English word 'energy' which can refer to electricity or physics, jīnglì is almost exclusively reserved for human vitality, both physical and mental. It represents the 'gas in your tank' that allows you to work, study, and enjoy life. When you wake up after a long sleep feeling refreshed, you have jīnglì. When you are burnt out after a twelve-hour shift, your jīnglì is exhausted.

Core Concept: At its heart, 精力 combines the characters 精 (jīng), meaning essence or spirit, and 力 (lì), meaning power or strength. Together, they form the concept of 'vital energy'—the internal resource required to perform tasks.
Daily Application: You will hear this word most often in contexts involving productivity, health, and aging. Parents often complain that their children have too much jīnglì, while professionals discuss how to manage their jīnglì to avoid burnout.

他每天工作十个小时，依然非常有精力。(He works ten hours every day and still has a lot of energy.)

In a professional setting, jīnglì is often paired with verbs like 'focus' (集中) or 'distribute' (分配). Managers might talk about focusing the team's jīnglì on a specific project. In a personal context, it's about your capacity to engage with others. If you say you 'don't have the jīnglì' for a party, you aren't saying you are physically paralyzed; you are saying you lack the mental and physical stamina to participate socially.

我老了，没有那么多精力去旅游了。(I am old; I don't have that much energy to go traveling anymore.)

把你的精力花在学习上，而不是玩游戏。(Spend your energy on studying, not on playing games.)

Modern Usage: In the age of social media and constant notifications, jīnglì is frequently used to describe cognitive load. You might hear people say their jīnglì is 'fragmented' (碎片化) by their smartphones.

年轻人的精力总是很旺盛。(Young people's energy is always vigorous.)

集中精力听课。(Concentrate your energy on listening to the lecture.)

Ultimately, jīnglì is a versatile word that bridges the gap between physical stamina and mental willpower. Whether you are talking about a marathon runner's last mile or a student's final exam, jīnglì is the fuel that gets them to the finish line.

Using 精力 (jīnglì) correctly requires understanding its common verbal partners. It is most frequently used with verbs that describe the management of a resource. Think of energy as money: you can spend it, save it, waste it, or invest it. In Chinese, these concepts are expressed through specific collocations that every A2-B1 learner should memorize.

Common Verb Pairings

有精力 (yǒu jīnglì): To have energy.
花精力 (huā jīnglì): To spend/invest energy.
浪费精力 (làngfèi jīnglì): To waste energy.
集中精力 (jízhōng jīnglì): To concentrate energy/focus.

为了完成这个项目，他投入了大量的精力。(To finish this project, he invested a massive amount of energy.)

When describing the state of someone's energy, we often use adjectives like 充沛 (chōngpèi - abundant) or 旺盛 (wàngshèng - vigorous). These are high-level words that make your Chinese sound much more natural and sophisticated. Conversely, if someone is exhausted, you might say their energy is 耗尽 (hàojìn - exhausted/drained).

他的精力非常充沛，好像从来不会累。(His energy is very abundant; it seems like he never gets tired.)

人的精力是有限的，我们要学会休息。(Human energy is limited; we must learn to rest.)

Negative Patterns: To express that you are too tired to do something, use the pattern: 没有精力 + Verb. This is a polite and common way to decline invitations or explain why a task isn't finished.

我下班后已经没有精力做饭了。(After getting off work, I no longer have the energy to cook.)

别把精力浪费在这些小事上。(Don't waste your energy on these trivial matters.)

By mastering these patterns, you can describe not just the presence of energy, but the management and emotional weight of your daily life. It is a word that moves you from simply describing 'what' you do to 'how' you do it and 'why' it might be difficult.

If you were to step into a Chinese office, a school, or a family living room, you would encounter 精力 (jīnglì) being used in very different ways. Understanding these contexts helps you grasp the cultural value placed on hard work and the management of one's personal resources.

The Workplace Context: In China's competitive job market, jīnglì is a commodity. Managers often praise employees who are jīnglì chōngpèi (full of energy). During performance reviews, a common piece of advice is to 'concentrate your energy' (集中精力) on high-impact tasks. You might also hear colleagues apologizing for a mistake by saying they were 'lacking energy' (精力不足) due to overtime.

老板希望我们把全部精力都投入到新产品中。(The boss hopes we will put all our energy into the new product.)

In schools and education, teachers use this word to manage their students' attention. A teacher might shout '集中精力!' (Focus your energy/Concentrate!) when the class becomes rowdy. Parents often worry about their children's jīnglì levels, especially during the high-pressure exam seasons like the Gaokao, ensuring they eat 'brain-boosting' foods to maintain their vigor.

考试前，一定要保证充足的精力。(Before the exam, you must ensure you have sufficient energy.)

这位老人家八十岁了，精力还这么好！(This elderly person is eighty years old and still has such good energy!)

Health and Wellness: In fitness apps and health blogs, jīnglì guǎnlǐ (energy management) is a hot topic. It’s no longer just about time management; it’s about how to optimize your physical state to be more productive. You'll hear phrases like 'restoring energy' (恢复精力) in the context of sleep or meditation.

午睡可以帮助你恢复精力。(A midday nap can help you restore energy.)

小孩子的精力真是无穷无尽。(Children's energy is truly endless.)

Whether in the high-stakes world of finance or the quiet routine of a retirement home, jīnglì is the metric by which vitality is measured in Chinese society. Paying attention to how native speakers use it will give you deep insight into their priorities and daily struggles.

Because English uses the word 'energy' for so many different things, English speakers often make the mistake of over-extending 精力 (jīnglì) into areas where it doesn't belong. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Chinese sound much more authentic and precise.

Mistake 1: The 'Physics' Error: Never use jīnglì to talk about electricity, solar power, or mechanical energy. For these, use 能源 (néngyuán) or 能量 (néngliàng). If you say 'the sun provides jīnglì,' a Chinese person will imagine the sun has a human-like spirit and work ethic.

❌ 这种电池有很多精力。
✅ 这种电池有很多能量。(This battery has a lot of energy.)

Another frequent mistake is confusing jīnglì with 精神 (jīngshén). While they look similar, jīngshén refers to 'spirit,' 'mindset,' or 'consciousness.' If someone looks alert and cheerful, they have good jīngshén. If they have the physical and mental capacity to run a marathon, they have good jīnglì. They overlap, but jīnglì is more about the amount of resource, while jīngshén is about the state of mind.

❌ 他的精力很好，他想通了。(His energy is good, he figured it out.)
✅ 他的精神状态很好。(His mental state is very good.)

❌ 我没有精力搬这张桌子。
✅ 我没有力气搬这张桌子。(I don't have the strength to move this table.)

Misusing 'Very': While you can say hěn yǒu jīnglì (very have energy), it is much more native to use specific adjectives. Saying jīnglì hěn hǎo is acceptable, but jīnglì chōngpèi is the hallmark of a fluent speaker. Avoid simple English-to-Chinese literal translations like 'I am energy' (我是精力), which is grammatically incorrect. You must use 'have' (有).

❌ 我今天很精力。
✅ 我今天很有精力。(I have a lot of energy today.)

他把精力都用在了研究上。(He used all his energy on research - Note: '用在...上' is a specific pattern.)

By being mindful of these distinctions—human vs. physical, resource vs. state, and capacity vs. strength—you will avoid the 'uncanny valley' of Chinese language learning and speak with the precision of a native.

In Chinese, there are several words that translate to 'energy' or 'vitality' in English. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are emphasizing physical strength, mental focus, or general liveliness. Here is a breakdown of how 精力 (jīnglì) compares to its closest cousins.

精力 (jīnglì) vs. 体力 (tǐlì): 精力 covers both mental and physical capacity. 体力 (tǐlì) is strictly physical stamina. If you are tired from thinking, you lack jīnglì. If you are tired from running, you lack tǐlì.
精力 (jīnglì) vs. 活力 (huólì): 活力 is 'vitality' or 'vibrancy.' It is often used to describe a city, a market, or a young person's personality. While jīnglì is a resource you use up, huólì is a quality you possess. A 'vibrant city' is yǒu huólì de chéngshì.

虽然他体力很好，但长时间的脑力劳动让他感到精力不足。(Although his physical strength is good, long hours of mental work make him feel a lack of energy.)

Then there is 精神 (jīngshén). As mentioned in the common mistakes section, jīngshén is more about the spirit or the mind. If you drink a cup of coffee and suddenly feel awake, you are tíshén (lifting your spirit). Your jīnglì hasn't necessarily increased—you haven't gained more 'fuel'—but your jīngshén (state of mind) is more alert.

我们要保持旺盛的精力和斗志。(We must maintain vigorous energy and fighting spirit.)

我们需要把有限的精力投入到最有价值的事情中。(We need to invest our limited energy into the most valuable things.)

Summary Table

Word	Best For...
精力	Human stamina/focus
体力	Physical strength
活力	Vibrancy/Life force
能量	Science/Physics

他真是一个充满活力的人，总是很有精力。(He is truly a vibrant person, always having a lot of energy.)

Understanding these distinctions is the difference between sounding like a textbook and sounding like a person who truly understands the nuances of the Chinese soul. Use jīnglì when you talk about the work you do, and you'll never go wrong.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '精' contains the 'rice' radical (米), suggesting that in ancient times, energy was directly linked to having enough high-quality food to eat.

Pronunciation Guide

UK jīng lì

US jīng lì

The first syllable 'jīng' is held longer, while 'lì' is short and forceful.

Rhymes With

明丽 (mínglì) 经历 (jīnglì - homophone with different characters) 凝聚 (níngjù - partial rhyme) 听力 (tīnglì) 定力 (dìnglì) 并立 (bìnglì) 人力 (rénlì) 物力 (wùlì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jing' as 'jīn' (forgetting the 'g').
Confusing the tones: saying 'jǐng lì' (3rd tone) instead of 'jīng lì'.
Pronouncing 'li' as a light tone when it should be a strong 4th tone.
Merging the sounds into 'jin-li'.
Misidentifying the 'j' as a 'zh' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple and common in A2/B1 texts.

Writing 3/5

The character '精' has many strokes and requires practice.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, but tones must be precise.

Listening 2/5

It is a very high-frequency word in daily conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

很有力人做

Learn Next

集中充沛旺盛浪费分配

Advanced

元气心力枯竭神采奕奕精疲力竭

Grammar to Know

The '把' structure with '精力'

把他所有的精力都放在了工作上。

Verb + 掉 (indicating consumption)

这一天把我的精力都耗掉了。

Resultative Complements with '精力'

精力用完了。

Adjectives as Predicates

他的精力很旺盛。

Preposition '在...上'

在学习上花精力。

Examples by Level

他很有精力。

He is very energetic.

Subject + 很 + 有 + 精力 (Noun)

我没有精力了。

I have no energy left.

Negative form: 没有 + 精力

你有精力玩吗？

Do you have the energy to play?

Question form using 吗

孩子们的精力真好。

The children's energy is really good.

Possessive + 精力 + 真好

多休息，才有精力。

Rest more, then you'll have energy.

Condition + 才 + 有 + 精力

老师很有精力。

The teacher is very energetic.

Simple Subject-Predicate structure

我今天没有精力学习。

I don't have the energy to study today.

没有精力 + Verb

喝咖啡能给你精力吗？

Can drinking coffee give you energy?

Verb phrase + 给 + Person + 精力

他花了很多精力做这件事。

He spent a lot of energy doing this.

花 + 很多 + 精力 + Verb phrase

你的精力应该放在学习上。

Your energy should be placed on studying.

精力 + 放在 + Topic + 上

我没有精力照顾小猫。

I don't have the energy to look after the kitten.

没有精力 + Verb (to take care of)

他是一个精力充沛的人。

He is a person full of energy.

精力充沛 (Fixed adjective phrase)

别在小事上浪费精力。

Don't waste energy on small things.

浪费 + 精力 + 在...上

运动让我更有精力。

Exercise makes me more energetic.

Subject + 让 + Person + 更有 + 精力

他工作太忙，精力不足。

He is too busy with work and lacks energy.

精力不足 (Lack of energy)

我们要集中精力听课。

We need to concentrate our energy on listening to the lesson.

集中 + 精力 + Verb

把精力集中在最重要的任务上。

Concentrate your energy on the most important tasks.

把 structure with 集中

虽然他老了，但精力依然旺盛。

Although he is old, his energy is still vigorous.

虽然...但... structure with 旺盛

长时间开会非常耗费精力。

Long meetings are very energy-consuming.

耗费 (to consume) + 精力

他把全部精力都投入到了工作中。

He put all his energy into his work.

全部精力 + 投入到...中

我需要一段时间来恢复精力。

I need some time to recover my energy.

恢复 (to recover) + 精力

这个项目需要花费大量的精力。

This project requires spending a large amount of energy.

花费 + 大量的 + 精力

他因精力分散而犯了错误。

He made a mistake because his energy was scattered.

精力分散 (scattered energy)

保持充足的精力对健康很重要。

Maintaining sufficient energy is important for health.

充足的 + 精力

他过人的精力让他脱颖而出。

His extraordinary energy made him stand out.

过人的 (extraordinary) as an adjective

公司需要有精力的年轻人。

The company needs energetic young people.

Noun as a qualifying attribute

他把晚年的精力都献给了慈善事业。

He dedicated his energy in his later years to charity.

献给 (to dedicate to) + Topic

过度的压力会消耗人的精力。

Excessive pressure will consume a person's energy.

消耗 (to consume/deplete) + 精力

他总是显得精力充沛，神采奕奕。

He always appears full of energy and glowing with spirit.

Pairing 精力充沛 with 神采奕奕

你应该合理分配你的精力。

You should distribute your energy reasonably.

合理分配 (reasonably distribute)

这场辩论耗尽了他所有的精力。

This debate exhausted all of his energy.

耗尽 (to exhaust completely)

他是一位精力旺盛的企业家。

He is a vigorous entrepreneur.

精力旺盛 as a modifier

这部作品倾注了作者毕生的精力。

This work has the author's lifelong energy poured into it.

倾注 (to pour into) + 毕生的 (lifelong) + 精力

他以惊人的精力投入到科学研究中。

He threw himself into scientific research with amazing energy.

以...的精力 + Verb

我们要把有限的精力投入到无限的为人民服务中去。

We should put our limited energy into the unlimited service of the people.

A famous rhetorical structure in Chinese politics

长期处于焦虑状态会使精力枯竭。

Being in a state of anxiety for a long time will cause energy to dry up.

枯竭 (to dry up/be depleted)

他虽然年逾古稀，但精力不减当年。

Although he is over seventy, his energy is not less than in his prime.

Idiomatic comparison using 不减当年

这种琐事不值得你花费精力。

This kind of triviality is not worth you spending energy on.

不值得 + Verb phrase

他在艺术创作上表现出极强的精力。

He showed extremely strong energy in artistic creation.

在...上 + 表现出

由于精力有限，他不得不辞去部分职务。

Due to limited energy, he had to resign from some of his positions.

由于 (due to) + 精力有限

其笔力雄健，可见其精力之弥满。

The brushwork is vigorous, showing the fullness of his energy.

Literary usage of 弥满 (brimming/full)

他以一己之精力，抗衡整个时代的平庸。

With his own energy, he contended against the mediocrity of the entire era.

High-level metaphorical usage

若无过人之精力，安能成此伟业？

Without extraordinary energy, how could such a great undertaking be achieved?

Rhetorical question using classical '安能'

他将满腔精力和热血都洒在了这片土地上。

He shed all his energy and hot blood on this land.

Metaphorical 'sprinkling' of energy

这种精神上的内耗极大地损耗了他的精力。

This kind of mental internal friction greatly depleted his energy.

Psychological term '内耗' (internal friction)

唯有精力充沛者，方能领略巅峰之美。

Only those with abundant energy can appreciate the beauty of the summit.

Formal '唯有...方能' structure

他的文字中透着一种原始而粗犷的精力。

His writing reveals a primitive and rugged energy.

Describing literary style

岁月的磨砺并未消磨他投身事业的精力。

The hardships of time did not wear away his energy for his career.

消磨 (to wear away) + 精力

Common Collocations

精力充沛

集中精力

浪费精力

花费精力

精力旺盛

恢复精力

精力不足

投入精力

分配精力

精力有限

Common Phrases

没精力

— Short for '没有精力', used to say one is too tired.

我没精力跟你吵架。

费精力

— Energy-consuming or requiring a lot of effort.

写小说很费精力。

过人的精力

— Extraordinary or superhuman energy.

他有过人的精力。

全部精力

— All of one's energy; full devotion.

他把全部精力都给了孩子。

有限的精力

— Limited energy; a reminder of human constraints.

在有限的精力里做最好的事。

旺盛的精力

— Vigorous energy, often used for young people.

年轻人有旺盛的精力。

分散精力

— To distract or scatter one's focus.

手机会分散你的精力。

充足的精力

— Sufficient energy, usually after rest.

保证充足的精力去考试。

这种精力

— This kind of energy (referring to a specific vibe).

我佩服他这种精力。

投入全部精力

— To devote all energy into something.

他为比赛投入了全部精力。

Often Confused With

精力 vs 精神

Jīngshén is mental state/spirit; Jīnglì is the resource/capacity.

精力 vs 能量

Néngliàng is for physics/science; Jīnglì is for humans.

精力 vs 力气

Lìqi is physical muscle power; Jīnglì includes mental focus.

Idioms & Expressions

"精力充沛"

— Full of energy and vigor.

尽管熬了夜，他依然精力充沛。

Neutral

"精疲力竭"

— Completely exhausted; energy and strength all gone.

长途跋涉后，他已精疲力竭。

Neutral

"心力交瘁"

— Exhausted both mentally and physically.

家庭和工作的双重压力让他心力交瘁。

Formal

"神采奕奕"

— Looking very spirited and energetic in the face.

老教授走上讲台，神采奕奕。

Literary

"斗志昂扬"

— High-spirited and full of fighting will.

运动员们斗志昂扬地走入赛场。

Positive

"气力衰微"

— Strength and energy are fading (often due to age).

晚年的他已气力衰微。

Formal

"竭尽全力"

— To do one's utmost; to use all strength/energy.

我们会竭尽全力完成任务。

Common

"聚精会神"

— To concentrate with all one's spirit/energy.

同学们正在聚精会神地看书。

Common

"专心致志"

— Wholly absorbed; focusing all energy on one thing.

他专心致志地做实验。

Formal

"无精打采"

— Listless; lacking energy or spirit.

他今天看起来无精打采的。

Common

Easily Confused

精力 vs 能源

Both translate to 'energy'.

能源 is for fuel/electricity; 精力 is for people.

太阳能是一种能源。

精力 vs 动力

Both relate to getting things done.

动力 is motivation/driving force; 精力 is the fuel you use.

兴趣是学习的动力。

精力 vs 体力

Both are human resources.

体力 is strictly physical; 精力 is physical + mental.

搬家很费体力。

精力 vs 活力

Both mean vigor.

活力 is a quality of being lively; 精力 is a resource used up.

这个城市很有活力。

精力 vs 心力

Both involve mental effort.

心力 is deeper, often implying worry or deep care.

他为这事费尽了心力。

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 很有精力。

他很有精力。

Subject + 没有精力 + Verb。

我没有精力看书。

Subject + 花精力 + Verb。

我花精力学习汉语。

把精力放在 + Noun + 上。

把精力放在工作上。

集中精力 + Verb。

集中精力听课。

精力充沛地 + Verb。

他精力充沛地跑完了全程。

投入/倾注 + 大量精力。

他投入了大量精力进行研究。

精力之 + Adjective。

精力之旺盛，令人惊讶。

Word Family

Nouns

精力

精神

精华

精英

Verbs

精简

精通

加力

用力

Adjectives

精美

精彩

有力

给力

体力

脑力

能力

动力

活力

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in both spoken and written Mandarin.

Common Mistakes

Using 精力 for machines. → 使用能量 (energy) or 电力 (electricity).
精力 is strictly for humans/animals.
Saying '我很精力'. → 我很有精力。
精力 is a noun, not an adjective.
Confusing 精力 with 经历 (jīnglì). → Check characters and context.
They are homophones. 经历 means experience; 精力 means energy.
Using 精力 for physical strength only. → Use 力气 for pure physical strength.
精力 includes mental stamina.
Saying '一个精力'. → 很多精力 or 一些精力。
It is an uncountable noun.

Tips

Verb Usage

Always use '有' or '没有' with '精力'. Don't say '我很精力'.

Collocations

Memorize '精力充沛' as a single unit; it's the most common way to use the word.

Respect

Use this word to praise the health of seniors.

Polite Refusal

Say '我没有精力' to refuse an invitation when you are genuinely too tired to go.

Focus

Use '集中精力' in essays to talk about focusing on goals.

Context Clues

If you hear 'jīnglì', check if the person is talking about a person. If not, they might be saying '经历' (experience), which sounds the same.

Mnemonic

The 'Li' in 'Jingli' is the same 'Li' as in 'Bruce Lee'—who had a lot of energy!

Wellness

In China, 'restoring energy' (恢复精力) often involves drinking warm water or taking a nap.

Efficiency

Talk about '精力管理' (energy management) instead of just time management to sound modern.

Avoid Waste

Remind yourself: '不要在手机上浪费精力' (Don't waste energy on your phone).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jing' as 'Ging-er' (it gives you a kick) and 'Li' as 'Lift' (the power to lift things). Ginger-Lift = Energy!

Visual Association

Imagine a battery inside a human body. The battery is labeled 'Jing' and the lightning bolt coming out is 'Li'.

Word Web

Work Sleep Focus Exercise Children Burnout Health Stamina

Challenge

Try to use '精力' three times today: once to describe a child, once to describe your work, and once to explain why you need a nap.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two ancient Chinese characters. '精' (jīng) originally referred to 'refined rice' and later came to mean 'essence' or 'spirit.' '力' (lì) is a pictograph of a plow or a muscle, representing 'strength' or 'power.'

Original meaning: The combination suggests 'the power derived from one's essence.'

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

Cultural Context

Be careful not to confuse '精力' (energy) with '精子' (sperm), which uses the same 'jīng' character but is a very different noun.

English speakers often use 'energy' for both people and machines. In Chinese, you must separate them.

The concept of 'Jing' in the 'Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon' (Huangdi Neijing). Modern productivity gurus in China who talk about 'Energy Management' (精力管理). Common tropes in Wuxia novels where masters have 'limitless jīnglì'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Office/Work

集中精力工作
精力分配
精力不足
投入大量精力

Family/Parenting

孩子精力旺盛
照顾孩子费精力
没有精力做家务
精力充沛的小伙子

Health/Fitness

恢复精力
运动增强精力
保持充足精力
精力管理

Education/Study

集中精力听课
考试需要精力
学习浪费精力(joking)
精力分散

Social/Parties

没精力去玩
他很有精力
大家精力都很好
精力被耗尽

Conversation Starters

"你觉得每天什么时候精力最好？ (When do you feel you have the best energy each day?)"

"照顾小孩子是不是很费精力？ (Is taking care of small children very energy-consuming?)"

"如果你的精力不足，你会怎么做？ (If you lack energy, what do you do?)"

"你是一个精力充沛的人吗？ (Are you an energetic person?)"

"你怎么分配工作和生活的精力？ (How do you distribute your energy between work and life?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你今天是如何使用你的精力的。(Describe how you used your energy today.)

你认为什么事情最浪费你的精力？为什么？(What things do you think waste your energy the most? Why?)

写一写你见过的一个精力旺盛的人。(Write about an energetic person you have met.)

如果你的精力是无限的，你会做什么？(If your energy was limitless, what would you do?)

谈谈你对‘精力管理’的看法。(Talk about your views on 'energy management'.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. For a battery, use '电量' (diànliàng) or '能量' (néngliàng). '精力' is only for people or sometimes animals.

Not exactly. 'Strength' is '力气' (lìqi). '精力' is more like 'stamina' or 'energy.' You need '力气' to lift a car, but '精力' to drive it for 10 hours.

You can say '我没精力了' (Wǒ méi jīnglì le) or '我的精力耗尽了' (Wǒ de jīnglì hàojìn le).

'精力' is the fuel in your tank. '精神' is the state of your engine. You can have plenty of fuel (精力) but if your engine is sleepy (精神不好), you won't go fast.

Yes, it is extremely common and is the standard way to describe someone who is very energetic.

Yes, you can say a project 'takes a lot of energy' (费精力) or that you 'put energy into a project' (投入精力).

Yes, it is a very high compliment to say an elderly person is '精力充沛' or '精力很好'.

No, it specifically includes mental energy and the ability to focus.

No, it is an uncountable noun in Chinese.

There isn't one exact word, but '疲劳' (fatigue) or '精力不足' (lack of energy) are used.