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A2 adjective #6,500 most common 11 min read

乏力

fali Top 6,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 乏力 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 乏力 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 乏力 (fálì) as a fancy way to say 'no energy.' While you usually learn 累 (lèi - tired) first, 乏力 is useful for telling a doctor how you feel. Imagine your body is like a phone with only 1% battery left. That feeling of having no power to move or do anything is 乏力. You can use it in simple sentences like '我身体乏力' (My body lacks strength). It is a good word to know for basic health situations. Even if you don't say it often, you will see it on medicine bottles or hear it at a clinic. Just remember: 累 is after you work hard, but 乏力 is when your body feels empty and weak, maybe because you are sick. It's a 'feeling' word that helps people understand you aren't just sleepy, but you actually don't have the strength to move.

At the A2 level, you should start using 乏力 (fálì) to describe specific physical feelings. You can combine it with body parts, like '四肢乏力' (four limbs lack strength) or '双腿乏力' (legs lack strength). This is very helpful when you are sick with a cold or the flu. You can also use it to describe a feeling of being 'run down.' For example, '感冒以后，我感到全身乏力' (After the cold, I feel weak all over). At this level, you are moving beyond simple 'good' or 'bad' feelings and starting to use more specific medical and physical descriptions. Notice that we often use the word 感到 (gǎndào - to feel) before 乏力. This helps make your Chinese sound more natural and descriptive. It is a key word for survival Chinese if you ever need to visit a pharmacy or a hospital in a Chinese-speaking country.

At the B1 level, you will encounter 乏力 (fálì) in more formal contexts, such as news reports or professional discussions. You'll notice it's not just for people anymore. It can describe abstract things like 'growth' or 'supervision.' For example, '增长乏力' (growth lacks strength) is a very common phrase in business news. This means something is trying to grow but doesn't have the power to do so. You should also be able to distinguish 乏力 from synonyms like 虚弱 (xūruò - frail) and 疲惫 (píbèi - exhausted). While 虚弱 is about being thin or sickly for a long time, 乏力 is specifically about the lack of 'output' or 'strength' in a given moment. Practice using it to describe not just your health, but also situations where effort is being made but the results are weak, like a 'weak response' to a question.

At the B2 level, 乏力 (fálì) becomes a tool for nuanced critique and analysis. You will see it used in editorial pieces to criticize policies or social trends. A common phrase is '监管乏力' (weak supervision), which implies that the authorities are not doing their job effectively. At this level, you should understand that 乏力 carries a tone of 'ineffectiveness.' If a writer says a book's ending is 乏力, they mean it didn't have the emotional or narrative 'punch' it needed. You should also be comfortable with the 'Resultative Complement' structure, such as '累得浑身乏力' (so tired that the whole body is weak). You are now using the word to describe complex systems, economic trends, and literary quality. It is no longer just a 'body feeling' but a way to measure the power and effectiveness of almost anything.

At the C1 level, you should appreciate the literary and formal nuances of 乏力 (fálì). It is often used in four-character combinations or parallel structures in high-level writing. For instance, '回击乏力' (a weak counterattack) or '苍白乏力' (pale and weak—often describing a weak argument). At this level, the word is used to describe a lack of spiritual or intellectual vigor. You might encounter it in philosophical texts or deep literary analysis where a character's 'will' is described as 乏力. You should also understand its role in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) discourse, where it is a specific symptom of 'Qi' deficiency. Being able to use 乏力 in a way that blends physical, metaphorical, and professional meanings is a sign of advanced proficiency. It allows you to express a sophisticated form of 'powerlessness' that '无力' or '弱' cannot quite capture.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 乏力 (fálì) involves understanding its most subtle connotations in political rhetoric, classical-style modern prose, and technical medical journals. You can use it to dissect the 'inertia' of large organizations or the 'stagnation' of historical eras. In high-level diplomacy or economic forecasting, 乏力 is used to describe a systemic lack of momentum that requires deep structural changes, not just a quick fix. You will recognize it in the works of modern literary masters who use it to describe the existential 'ennui' or the 'weakness of the soul' in the face of modernity. At this level, you don't just know what the word means; you know the exact weight it carries in a sentence and how it interacts with other high-level vocabulary to create a specific atmosphere of depletion, stagnation, or ineffectiveness.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

乏力 in 30 Seconds

乏力 (fálì) means weak or fatigued, often used for physical malaise or a lack of momentum in abstract contexts like economics.
It is more formal than the common word 'lèi' (tired) and is frequently heard in hospitals and financial news reports.
Commonly used in patterns like '感到乏力' (feel weak) or '增长乏力' (growth lacks strength/momentum).
It is a key vocabulary word for CEFR A2-B1 levels, bridging daily physical descriptions with professional and analytical Chinese.

The Chinese term 乏力 (fálì) is a versatile adjective and stative verb that primarily describes a state of physical weakness, fatigue, or a lack of strength. At its core, it is composed of two characters: 乏 (fá), meaning 'to lack' or 'to be exhausted,' and 力 (lì), meaning 'strength' or 'power.' When combined, they paint a vivid picture of a person or an entity whose internal battery is running on empty. Unlike the common word 累 (lèi), which simply means 'tired' after a long day of work, 乏力 often implies a deeper, more systemic sense of exhaustion, frequently associated with illness, chronic stress, or a lack of vital energy.

Physical Sensation: In a medical context, patients often use this word to describe 'malaise' or 'lethargy.' If you have the flu and feel like your limbs are made of lead, you are 全身乏力 (quánshēn fálì)—weak all over. It is the specific feeling where even lifting a glass of water feels like an arduous task.
Metaphorical Weakness: Beyond the body, 乏力 is frequently used in news and business to describe a lack of momentum. For instance, an 'economic recovery' might be described as 增长乏力 (zēngzhǎng fálì), meaning the growth lacks the necessary power to continue or accelerate. It suggests that the underlying drivers of progress are insufficient.
Professional/Formal Tone: While you might tell a friend '我好累' (I'm so tired), a doctor's report or a formal health assessment would use 患者感到乏力 (The patient feels fatigued). It carries a more objective, clinical, or serious weight than everyday slang for tiredness.

生病以后，我总是感到四肢乏力，连走路都没精神。
— After getting sick, I always feel weak in my limbs, and I don't even have the energy to walk.

You will encounter this word in a variety of settings. In a hospital, it's a symptom. In a boardroom, it describes a failing marketing campaign or a stagnant stock market. In literature, it might describe a character's spiritual or moral exhaustion. For example, a writer might describe a hero's 'weak' response to a challenge as 回击乏力 (a weak counterattack). This versatility makes it a crucial word for intermediate learners who want to move beyond basic descriptions of being 'tired' and start expressing nuances of powerlessness and systemic weakness.

尽管政府出台了新政策，但市场反应依然乏力。
— Despite the government's new policies, the market response remains weak.

Finally, it is important to distinguish 乏力 from its close relatives. While 虚弱 (xūruò) focuses on being 'frail' or 'feeble' (often long-term), 乏力 is specifically about the *lack of strength* to perform actions. While 疲惫 (píbèi) emphasizes being 'exhausted' or 'worn out' from labor, 乏力 focuses on the internal state of having no power left. Understanding these subtle differences will elevate your Chinese from functional to sophisticated.

Using 乏力 (fálì) correctly involves understanding its role as a stative verb/adjective that usually follows a subject or a specific body part. Unlike English where we say 'I have a lack of strength,' in Chinese, you simply 'feel' or 'are' 乏力. It doesn't typically take a direct object, but it is often preceded by adverbs of degree like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or 显得 (xiǎnde).

The 'Subject + 感到/觉得 + 乏力' Pattern: This is the most common way to express personal fatigue. '我感到全身乏力' (I feel weak all over). Using 感到 (to feel) makes the statement more descriptive of a subjective state.
The 'Body Part + 乏力' Pattern: Chinese allows you to pinpoint exactly where the weakness is. '双腿乏力' (Legs are weak) or '四肢乏力' (Four limbs are weak). This is very common in medical contexts where a doctor might ask, '你哪里觉得乏力？' (Where do you feel weak?).
The 'Action/Noun + 乏力' Pattern: In abstract contexts, you place the noun first. '监管乏力' (Weak supervision/regulation) or '反弹乏力' (Weak rebound, often in stocks). Here, it acts as an adjective describing the quality of the noun's power or influence.

由于长期睡眠不足，他工作时总是显得乏力。
— Due to long-term lack of sleep, he always appears weak/lethargic at work.

When using 乏力 in a professional context, it often replaces simpler words like '不好' (not good) or '不行' (no good). For example, instead of saying '销售不好' (Sales are not good), a business report might say '销售增长乏力' (Sales growth is weak/stagnant). This sounds more professional and precisely identifies that the *momentum* is missing, rather than just saying the numbers are low. In literary Chinese, you might see it paired with other descriptors to create four-character phrases, such as 苍白乏力 (pale and weak), often used to describe a piece of writing or an argument that lacks conviction or impact.

这篇文章的论证过程显得有些乏力，缺乏说服力。
— The argumentation of this article appears somewhat weak and lacks persuasiveness.

To master this word, practice using it in different domains. Start with your physical state (e.g., after a workout or a cold), then move to describing external things like a car engine that won't start easily, and finally use it for abstract concepts like 'leadership' or 'innovation.' This progression helps cement the word's multifaceted nature in your mind.

Understanding the 'natural habitat' of 乏力 (fálì) will help you recognize it in the wild. While you might not hear a child screaming it on a playground, you will hear it frequently in specific, adult-oriented environments. It is a word of the clinic, the newsroom, and the office.

In the Doctor's Office (医院): This is arguably the most common place to hear 乏力. A doctor will ask, '除了发烧，还有乏力的感觉吗？' (Besides the fever, do you also feel weak?). It is a standard medical term for 'fatigue' or 'malaise.' If you watch medical dramas in Chinese (like 急诊科医生), you will hear this word in almost every episode during patient intake scenes.
On Financial News (财经新闻): Switch to a channel like CCTV-2 (Finance), and you'll hear analysts talking about 股市上涨乏力 (The stock market rise is lacking strength). In this context, it means the upward trend is losing steam. It's a favorite word for describing a market that is struggling to maintain its momentum after a period of growth.
In Sports Commentary (体育解说): During a marathon or a long football match, a commentator might notice a player slowing down. '下半场开始后，这位选手的进攻明显乏力。' (Since the second half started, this player's offense is clearly lacking strength). It implies the player is gassed or out of energy.

医生，我最近总是觉得浑身乏力，是不是贫血了？
— Doctor, I've been feeling weak all over lately, could it be anemia?

You will also find 乏力 in social commentary or political speeches. A critic might describe a new law as 执行乏力 (weakly enforced). This implies that while the law exists, the 'muscle' behind it—the police or the administration—is not doing enough. It’s a polite but firm way to criticize a lack of effort or effectiveness. If you read Chinese newspapers like People's Daily or Caixin, you will see it used to critique everything from environmental protection efforts to educational reforms. It’s a high-frequency word in the world of formal critique and analysis.

由于缺乏资金支持，该项目的后期运行显得非常乏力。
— Due to a lack of financial support, the later operation of the project appeared very weak.

Lastly, in daily life, you might hear older people use it to describe the natural aging process. An elderly person might sigh and say, '人老了，腿脚乏力了' (I'm old now, my legs and feet lack strength). In this context, it carries a touch of nostalgia or resignation, reflecting the physical reality of growing older.

While 乏力 (fálì) is relatively straightforward, English speakers often make a few key errors by confusing it with other words that translate to 'weak' or 'tired' in English. Understanding these distinctions is the key to achieving natural-sounding Chinese.

Mistake 1: Confusing 乏力 (fálì) with 累 (lèi): This is the most common error. 累 means 'tired' as a result of activity. If you run 5 miles, you are 累. 乏力 describes the *state* of lacking strength. You can be 乏力 even if you haven't done anything (like when you have a fever). Don't say '我跑完步很乏力' if you just mean you're out of breath; say '我跑完步很累.' Use 乏力 if your legs actually feel like they can't support you anymore.
Mistake 2: Confusing 乏力 (fálì) with 乏味 (fáwèi): Because both start with 乏 (fá), learners sometimes swap them. 乏味 means 'tasteless' or 'boring.' If you say a movie is 乏力, you are saying the movie lacks 'punch' or 'power.' If you say it is 乏味, you are saying it is boring. Be careful with your suffixes!
Mistake 3: Confusing 乏力 (fálì) with 弱 (ruò): 弱 usually refers to a permanent or long-term state of being 'weak' or 'fragile' (e.g., a weak signal, a weak child). 乏力 is more about the *feeling* or *manifestation* of having no strength at a specific time or in a specific context. You wouldn't call a small kitten 乏力; you would call it 弱小 (ruòxiǎo).

❌ Incorrect: 这个菜很乏力。
✅ Correct: 这个人感到浑身乏力。
— You can't use 'fali' to describe food being bland; that's 'wuwei' or 'fawai'.

Another subtle mistake is using 乏力 to describe a 'weak' person's character (e.g., someone who is easily bullied). For character traits, Chinese usually uses 软弱 (ruǎnruò). 乏力 is almost always about the *output* of energy or the *physical feeling* of weakness. For example, '他的辩解很乏力' (His excuse was weak/unconvincing) is correct because the 'excuse' is an output that lacks power. But '他是一个乏力的人' sounds strange; you should say '他是一个软弱的人.'

面对质疑，他的回应显得有些乏力。
— Facing doubts, his response appeared somewhat weak (lacking punch).

Lastly, remember that 乏力 is quite formal. In a very casual setting, like hanging out with friends, saying '我乏力' might sound a bit like you're reading from a textbook. In those cases, '我没劲儿了' (wǒ méi jìnr le - I have no strength left) is the more natural, colloquial equivalent. Use 乏力 when you want to be precise, professional, or when describing a serious physical condition.

To truly master 乏力 (fálì), you need to know how it stacks up against its synonyms. Chinese is rich with words for 'weakness' and 'tiredness,' and choosing the right one depends on the context and the 'flavor' of the weakness you want to convey.

乏力 (fálì) vs. 无力 (wúlì): These two are very close. 无力 literally means 'no strength' (zero power), while 乏力 means 'lacking strength' (insufficient power). 无力 is often used in the phrase 无能为力 (powerless to help). 乏力 is more common for describing a general feeling of fatigue or a weak market trend.
乏力 (fálì) vs. 虚弱 (xūruò): 虚弱 emphasizes a state of being 'frail' or 'feeble,' usually due to long-term illness or old age. It describes the *constitution* of the person. 乏力 is the *sensation* of that weakness. A 虚弱 person will frequently feel 乏力.
乏力 (fálì) vs. 疲惫 (píbèi): 疲惫 is a much stronger word for 'exhausted.' It suggests being 'worn out' to the point of collapse, often mentally and physically. 乏力 is more about the specific lack of physical 'oomph.'
乏力 (fálì) vs. 没劲儿 (méijìnr): This is the colloquial cousin. '我身上没劲儿' is what you say to your mom. '我感到乏力' is what you say to your doctor. They mean the same thing, but the register is totally different.

虽然他看起来很瘦，但他并不虚弱；只是今天感冒了，觉得有些乏力。
— Although he looks thin, he isn't frail; it's just that he has a cold today and feels a bit weak.

In a business or economic context, you might also consider 疲软 (píruǎn). While 乏力 means growth is 'lacking strength,' 疲软 (literally 'tired and soft') is specifically used for markets, currencies, or demand that is 'sluggish' or 'weak.' For example, '需求疲软' (weak demand) is a very common economic term. If you want to say a policy is not being implemented well, you could also use 不到位 (búdàowèi), meaning 'not reaching the required level,' which is a slightly more common way to express administrative 'weakness' than 执行乏力.

面对强大的对手，他的反击显得有些无力。
— Facing a strong opponent, his counterattack seemed somewhat powerless.

By expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can describe 'weakness' with surgical precision. Whether you are talking about a physical ailment, a failing economy, or a boring book, you'll have the exact word you need to express the specific type of 'lack of power' you're observing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient texts, '乏' was sometimes used to mean 'an arrow that missed its target'—it lacked the 'strength' or 'aim' to hit the mark!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fǎ lî/

US /fǎ lî/

In Mandarin, both characters are stressed, but the sharp drop of the fourth tone on 'lì' gives it a final punch.

Rhymes With

大力 (dàlì) 压力 (yālì) 能力 (nénglì) 努力 (nǔlì) 权力 (quánlì) 法力 (fǎlì) 经历 (jīnglì) 学历 (xuélì)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fá' as 'fā' (first tone).
Pronouncing 'lì' as 'lǐ' (third tone).
Confusing 'fálì' with 'fālì' (which isn't a common word).
Mumbling the 'f' sound.
Not making the fourth tone sharp enough on 'li'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderately common but easily confused with similar ones.

Writing 4/5

Writing '乏' correctly requires attention to stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is simple if you master the 2nd and 4th tones.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and medical contexts; easy to recognize once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

累 (lèi) 力 (lì) 身体 (shēntǐ) 感到 (gǎndào) 虚弱 (xūruò)

Learn Next

疲惫 (píbèi) 无力 (wúlì) 增长 (zēngzhǎng) 监管 (jiānguǎn) 迹象 (jìxiàng)

Advanced

颓势 (tuíshì) 疲软 (píruǎn) 回天乏力 (huítiān fálì) 精疲力竭 (jīngpí lìjié)

Grammar to Know

Stative Verbs as Predicates

我身体[乏力]。 (No 'is' needed).

Adverbs of Degree

他[非常]乏力。

Resultative Complement with 得

他累[得]浑身乏力。

Subject-Predicate as Attribute

[增长乏力]的现象很普遍。

Double Negation (Rare)

并非乏力 (Not necessarily weak).

Examples by Level

我今天身体有点乏力。

I feel a bit weak today.

Subject + 身体 (body) + 有点 (a bit) + 乏力.

他不舒服，浑身乏力。

He is not feeling well; he's weak all over.

浑身 (whole body) is a common adverbial modifier for 乏力.

你觉得乏力吗？

Do you feel weak?

Simple question using the verb 觉得 (to feel).

我没力气，很乏力。

I have no strength; I'm very weak.

力气 (physical strength) is related but 乏力 is the state.

吃了药以后，他还是乏力。

After taking medicine, he is still weak.

还是 (still) shows a continuing state.

生病的时候会感到乏力。

When you are sick, you will feel weak.

感到 (to feel) is the standard verb for 乏力.

他太累了，腿有点乏力。

He is too tired; his legs are a bit weak.

Specific body part (腿) + 乏力.

休息一下，你就不会乏力了。

Rest a bit, and you won't be weak anymore.

不会...了 indicates a change in state.

感冒的症状包括发烧和乏力。

Symptoms of a cold include fever and fatigue.

乏力 acts as a noun here (fatigue/weakness).

走了很长时间的路，我感到双腿乏力。

After walking for a long time, I feel weak in both legs.

双腿 (both legs) specifies the location.

他最近总是感到四肢乏力。

He has been feeling weak in his limbs lately.

四肢 (four limbs) is a very common collocation.

医生问我有没有乏力的感觉。

The doctor asked if I have a feeling of weakness.

乏力的感觉 (feeling of weakness) uses 乏力 as an adjective.

虽然不疼，但是我觉得很乏力。

Although it doesn't hurt, I feel very weak.

虽然...但是... (although... but...) structure.

这种病会让病人感到非常乏力。

This disease makes patients feel very weak.

让 (to make/cause) + person + 感到 + 乏力.

因为没吃早饭，他上课时感到乏力。

Because he didn't eat breakfast, he felt weak during class.

因为 (because) explains the cause of 乏力.

运动过量会导致肌肉乏力。

Over-exercising can lead to muscle weakness.

导致 (lead to) + noun phrase (肌肉乏力).

由于市场需求不足，该公司的增长显得乏力。

Due to insufficient market demand, the company's growth appears weak.

Metaphorical use for 'growth' (增长).

长期处于高压环境下，人容易感到精神乏力。

Being under high pressure for a long time, people easily feel mentally fatigued.

精神乏力 (mental fatigue/exhaustion).

尽管投入了大量资金，但该项目的进展依然乏力。

Despite investing a lot of money, the project's progress is still weak.

进展乏力 (weak progress).

贫血患者常伴有面色苍白和全身乏力的症状。

Anemic patients are often accompanied by symptoms of pale complexion and general weakness.

伴有 (accompanied by) + symptoms.

这篇文章的结尾部分论证乏力，不够感人。

The argumentation in the ending of this article is weak and not touching enough.

论证乏力 (weak argumentation).

由于缺乏锻炼，他爬几层楼就觉得心慌乏力。

Due to lack of exercise, he feels palpitations and weakness after climbing a few floors.

心慌乏力 (palpitations and weakness) - medical description.

新政策在执行过程中显得有些乏力。

The new policy appeared somewhat weak during the implementation process.

执行乏力 (weak implementation).

股市在连续上涨后，今日表现出上涨乏力的迹象。

After rising continuously, the stock market showed signs of weak upward momentum today.

上涨乏力 (weak upward momentum).

监管乏力是导致该行业乱象丛生的主要原因之一。

Weak supervision is one of the main reasons for the chaos in this industry.

监管乏力 (weak regulation) as a subject.

他那番苍白乏力的辩解根本无法说服在场的法官。

His pale and weak excuse could not convince the judges present at all.

苍白乏力 (pale and weak) used as a compound adjective.

随着人口老龄化，劳动力市场开始出现增长乏力的现象。

With the aging of the population, the labor market has begun to show signs of weak growth.

增长乏力的现象 (phenomenon of weak growth).

这部电影虽然特效华丽，但剧情显得有些乏力。

Although this movie has gorgeous special effects, the plot seems a bit weak.

剧情乏力 (weak plot/narrative).

由于缺乏核心技术，该企业在国际竞争中显得后劲乏力。

Due to the lack of core technology, the enterprise lacks sustained stamina in international competition.

后劲乏力 (lack of sustained strength/stamina).

在强劲的对手面前，他的反击显得有些乏力。

In front of a strong opponent, his counterattack seemed somewhat weak.

反击乏力 (weak counterattack).

这种药物虽然能缓解疼痛，但副作用是引起全身乏力。

Although this medicine can relieve pain, the side effect is causing general weakness.

引起 (to cause) + 乏力.

长期的经济低迷导致社会消费增长乏力。

The long-term economic downturn has led to weak growth in social consumption.

消费增长乏力 (weak growth in consumption).

该学说的论证逻辑在严密的审视下显得颇为乏力。

The logical argumentation of this theory appears quite weak under close scrutiny.

颇为 (quite/rather) + 乏力.

他试图用这种方式来掩饰内心的乏力感。

He tried to hide his inner sense of powerlessness in this way.

乏力感 (sense of powerlessness/fatigue).

传统产业的转型升级在某些地区依然面临后劲乏力的困境。

The transformation and upgrading of traditional industries still face the dilemma of lacking sustained momentum in some regions.

后劲乏力的困境 (dilemma of lacking stamina).

这篇文章对社会问题的剖析显得有些流于表面，回击乏力。

This article's analysis of social problems seems somewhat superficial, and its counterarguments are weak.

回击乏力 (weak counter-response).

在宏观经济政策调整后，市场反应依然疲软乏力。

After the adjustment of macroeconomic policies, the market reaction remains sluggish and weak.

疲软乏力 (sluggish and weak) - double adjective.

作品中流露出的那种精神上的乏力，反映了那个时代的迷茫。

The spiritual weakness revealed in the work reflects the confusion of that era.

精神上的乏力 (spiritual weakness).

由于缺乏有效的激励机制，团队的创新动力显得乏力。

Due to the lack of effective incentive mechanisms, the team's motivation for innovation appears weak.

创新动力乏力 (weak motivation for innovation).

即使在最繁华的街道，也能感受到一种增长乏力的暮气。

Even on the busiest streets, one can feel a sense of lethargy from weak growth.

增长乏力的暮气 (lethargy/stale air of weak growth).

其文风虽极尽华丽，实则筋骨乏力，难掩其思想之贫瘠。

Although the writing style is extremely gorgeous, it actually lacks structural strength, failing to hide the poverty of its thought.

筋骨乏力 (lacking 'muscle and bone' - structural weakness in writing).

在全球化退潮的背景下，世界经济的复苏显得步履乏力。

In the context of the ebb of globalization, the recovery of the world economy appears to be walking with weak steps.

步履乏力 (walking with weak steps - metaphorical recovery).

该政权在处理危机时表现出的统筹乏力，加速了其合法性的流失。

The lack of coordination shown by the regime in handling the crisis accelerated the loss of its legitimacy.

统筹乏力 (weak coordination/planning).

这种对现实的批判显得既苍白又乏力，缺乏深刻的洞见。

This critique of reality appears both pale and weak, lacking profound insight.

既...又... (both... and...) structure.

在晚清的颓势下，任何局部的改革都显得回天乏力。

Under the decline of the late Qing Dynasty, any local reforms seemed powerless to turn the tide.

回天乏力 (powerless to save a desperate situation - idiom-like).

这种艺术表现形式在当代语境下，因缺乏张力而显得乏力。

This form of artistic expression appears weak in the contemporary context due to a lack of tension.

缺乏张力 (lack of tension) causes 乏力.

制度性的监管乏力，往往是滋生腐败的温床。

Institutional weakness in supervision is often a breeding ground for corruption.

制度性的 (institutional) modifying 监管乏力.

这种由于长期内耗导致的组织乏力，很难通过单纯的裁员来解决。

This organizational weakness caused by long-term internal friction is difficult to solve through simple layoffs.

内耗导致的组织乏力 (organizational weakness caused by internal friction).

Common Collocations

感到乏力

增长乏力

四肢乏力

浑身乏力

监管乏力

上涨乏力

反弹乏力

执行乏力

后劲乏力

回击乏力

Common Phrases

精神乏力

— Mentally exhausted or lacking mental vigor.

长期的压力让他感到精神乏力。

心慌乏力

— Palpitations and weakness, a common medical complaint.

她最近经常感到心慌乏力。

苍白乏力

— Pale and weak; often used for unconvincing arguments.

他的解释显得苍白乏力。

双腿乏力

— Weakness in the legs.

爬完山后，我感到双腿乏力。

表现乏力

— Weak performance.

该产品在市场上的表现乏力。

创新乏力

— Lack of innovation power.

这家老牌公司目前面临创新乏力的危机。

调控乏力

— Weak regulation or control.

市场调控乏力导致物价飞涨。

回天乏力

— Powerless to save a situation.

医生们已经尽力了，但依然回天乏力。

肌肉乏力

— Muscle weakness.

这种病会导致严重的肌肉乏力。

四肢酸软乏力

— Limbs are sore and weak.

重感冒让他四肢酸软乏力。

Often Confused With

乏力 vs 乏味

Means 'boring' or 'tasteless,' while 乏力 means 'weak' or 'fatigued.'

乏力 vs 压力

Means 'pressure.' They sound slightly similar but have totally different meanings.

乏力 vs 法力

Means 'magic power' (same pinyin, different tones: fǎlì). Don't confuse magic with fatigue!

Idioms & Expressions

"回天乏力"

— To be powerless to save a desperate situation.

面对破产，他感到回天乏力。

Literary

"筋疲力尽"

— Totally exhausted (related concept).

他累得筋疲力尽。

Common

"无能为力"

— Powerless to help (related concept).

对此我也无能为力。

Common

"心有余而力不足"

— The will is there, but the strength is lacking.

我想帮他，但心有余而力不足。

Formal

"气虚力弱"

— Weak Qi and lack of strength.

他大病之后气虚力弱。

Medical/TCM

"师老兵疲"

— An army that is old and tired (metaphor for stagnation).

这个项目现在师老兵疲，毫无进展。

Literary

"强弩之末"

— A spent arrow (something that has lost its power).

他的攻势已经是强弩之末，反击乏力。

Literary

"精疲力竭"

— Exhausted of energy.

他精疲力竭地倒在床上。

Formal

"力不从心"

— One's ability falls short of one's desires.

我想继续跑，但力不从心。

Formal

"手软脚酸"

— Soft hands and sore feet (weakness).

干了一天活，他手软脚酸乏力。

Informal

Easily Confused

乏力 vs 累 (lèi)

Both translate as 'tired.'

累 is fatigue from activity; 乏力 is a state of lacking strength/energy.

跑完步很累，但生病时很乏力。

乏力 vs 虚弱 (xūruò)

Both mean 'weak.'

虚弱 is about frailty/constitution; 乏力 is about the feeling or output of strength.

他身体虚弱，经常感到乏力。

乏力 vs 弱 (ruò)

Both mean 'weak.'

弱 is a general attribute (weak signal, weak person); 乏力 is a specific state of fatigue.

信号很弱，但他感到乏力。

乏力 vs 疲惫 (píbèi)

Both mean 'exhausted.'

疲惫 is a much stronger, more total state of exhaustion.

连续加班让他感到极其疲惫。

乏力 vs 软弱 (ruǎnruò)

Both mean 'weak.'

软弱 is used for character/personality; 乏力 is for physical strength or momentum.

他性格软弱，但身体并不乏力。

Sentence Patterns

我 + 感到 + 乏力。

我感到乏力。

身体/部位 + 乏力。

双腿乏力。

名词 + 增长/表现 + 乏力。

市场增长乏力。

由于...，显得...乏力。

由于缺水，植物显得乏力。

...乏力感。

一种深深的乏力感。

既...又乏力。

既苍白又乏力。

回天乏力。

局势已定，回天乏力。

...统筹/监管乏力。

制度性的监管乏力。

Word Family

Nouns

乏力感 (fálìgǎn) - sense of fatigue

力 (lì) - strength

缺乏 (quēfá) - lack/deficiency

Verbs

乏 (fá) - to be tired/to lack

缺乏 (quēfá) - to lack

Adjectives

乏力 (fálì) - weak/fatigued

乏味 (fáwèi) - boring/tasteless

疲乏 (pífá) - tired/weary

疲劳 (píláo) - fatigue

虚弱 (xūruò) - weak/frail

无力 (wúlì) - powerless

困倦 (kùnjuàn) - sleepy

软弱 (ruǎnruò) - weak/soft

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical and economic domains; medium in daily life.

Common Mistakes

Using 乏力 for 'boring'. → 乏味 (fáwèi)
乏味 means tasteless/boring; 乏力 specifically means lacking physical or systemic strength.
Using 乏力 for 'sleepy'. → 困 (kùn)
If you just want to sleep, use '困'. If your body feels weak and heavy, use '乏力'.
Using 乏力 for character weakness. → 软弱 (ruǎnruò)
For a person's shy or weak personality, '软弱' is the correct term.
Saying '我有很多乏力'. → 我感到很乏力。
In Chinese, you 'feel' weak (adjective/verb), you don't 'have' weakness like an object.
Using 乏力 for a weak coffee or tea. → 淡 (dàn)
For weak flavors, use '淡'. '乏力' is only for energy or momentum.

Tips

Use with 'Gǎndào'

Pairing '乏力' with '感到' (to feel) makes your descriptions of physical states sound much more natural.

Medical Contexts

Always use '乏力' when describing symptoms to a healthcare professional; it is the standard term they expect.

Economic News

When you hear '增长乏力' (zēngzhǎng fálì) on the news, it always refers to stagnant or weak economic growth.

Don't confuse with 乏味

Remember: 乏味 (fáwèi) is for 'boring' (flavorless), 乏力 (fálì) is for 'weak' (strengthless).

Body Parts

You can place a body part directly before '乏力', such as '双腿乏力' or '四肢乏力'.

Formal vs. Informal

Use '乏力' for formal reports and '没劲儿' for chatting with friends.

The 'Fall-Lift' Trick

Think: I'm Falling (Fa) because I can't Lift (Li). This helps you remember both the sound and meaning.

TCM Connection

Mentioning '乏力' to a Chinese friend will often lead to advice about eating warm, energy-boosting foods.

Argumentation

In essays, use '论证乏力' to describe a weak point that doesn't prove its case well.

Tone Patterns

Listen for the rising-falling rhythm (fá-lì). It's very distinctive in medical and financial broadcasts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'FA' as 'Falling' and 'LI' as 'Lift.' You are Falling because you cannot Lift anything due to a lack of strength.

Visual Association

Imagine a battery icon on a phone that is red and flashing at 1%. That is 'fálì.'

Word Web

乏力 (fálì) 全身乏力 (quánshēn fálì) 增长乏力 (zēngzhǎng fálì) 感到乏力 (gǎndào fálì) 四肢乏力 (sìzhī fálì) 监管乏力 (jiānguǎn fálì) 上涨乏力 (shàngzhǎng fálì) 后劲乏力 (hòujìng fálì)

Challenge

Try to use 'fálì' in three different ways today: once for your body, once for a boring book or movie, and once for a slow app on your phone.

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two ancient characters. '乏' (fá) originally depicted a person turning their head away, implying 'exhaustion' or 'lack.' '力' (lì) is a pictograph of a plow or a muscle, representing 'strength' or 'labor.' Together, they have been used for centuries to describe a state where strength is missing.

Original meaning: Lacking strength or being exhausted.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Cultural Context

When discussing health, 'fálì' is a serious symptom. Don't use it lightly if someone is actually ill.

In English, we often just say 'I'm tired' for everything. Chinese speakers are more precise, using 'fálì' for the physical sensation of weakness.

Used in CCTV economic reports to describe market trends. Commonly found in modern literature like the works of Yu Hua to describe weary characters. A standard symptom listed in Chinese COVID-19 and flu prevention handbooks.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital/Clinic

我感到乏力
浑身乏力
四肢乏力
头晕乏力

Financial News

增长乏力
上涨乏力
反弹乏力
表现乏力

Workplace

执行乏力
监管乏力
创新乏力
后劲乏力

Sports/Gym

肌肉乏力
双腿乏力
感到乏力
训练后乏力

Daily Life

身体乏力
精神乏力
觉得乏力
有点乏力

Conversation Starters

"你生病的时候会感到浑身乏力吗？"

"你觉得最近的经济增长是强劲还是乏力？"

"如果你感到四肢乏力，你会去医院吗？"

"为什么有些法律在执行时会显得乏力？"

"你认为哪种运动最容易让人感到乏力？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你感到全身乏力的经历。是因为生病还是太累了？

分析一个你认为‘监管乏力’的社会问题，并提出建议。

如果你发现自己的学习进度‘增长乏力’，你会怎么做？

写一段话，用‘乏力’来形容一部你不太喜欢的电影或书。

讨论在现代社会中，人们感到‘精神乏力’的主要原因是什么。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, you should use '乏味' (fáwèi) for boring. However, you can use '乏力' if you mean the writing lacks power or impact, e.g., '论证乏力' (weak argumentation).

No, it is very common in economics (增长乏力 - weak growth) and politics (监管乏力 - weak supervision).

You should say '我感到全身乏力' (wǒ gǎndào quánshēn fálì).

Yes, '没劲儿' is the informal way to say it, while '乏力' is the more formal/medical way.

无力 (wúlì) means 'no strength' (zero), while 乏力 (fálì) means 'lacking strength' (insufficient). They are often interchangeable in physical contexts.

It's better to use '卡' (kǎ) or '慢' (màn). '乏力' is usually for biological or systemic momentum.

Yes, especially in news and healthcare. It's a key word for HSK 4-5 level students.

Second tone (rising) and fourth tone (falling sharply): fá-lì.

Yes, it can mean 'fatigue' or 'weakness' as a noun, e.g., '乏力的症状' (symptoms of fatigue).

Yes, it's used when a situation is beyond saving, like a failing business or a terminal patient.