力
The 力 radical
Strength, power
Memory hook
A flexed arm exerting force
The 力 radical (read lì) means strength, power. The HSK 3.0 data contains 23 characters and 301 words built on it — learning them together is far faster than one character at a time.
Practise the 力 radical
Study this radical's 301 words with flashcards or a quiz.
The free plan drills 15 words per radical. Upgrade to Premium
Characters with the 力 radical
23 charactersHSK 1· 1 characters
HSK 1动
to move
HSK 2· 6 characters
HSK 2力
force
办
to do; to handle; to manage
加
to add; to plus
务
task; affair; duty
助
to help
努
to make an effort; to strive
HSK 3· 2 characters
HSK 3功
merit, achievement, contribution
势
power, trend, situation
HSK 4· 2 characters
HSK 4劲
strength, force
勇
brave, courageous
HSK 5· 4 characters
HSK 5劝
to advise, to persuade
励
to encourage, to motivate
劳
laborious, toilsome
勤
diligent, industrious
HSK 7-9· 8 characters
HSK 7-9劣
inferior, weak, worse
劫
to rob, to plunder
勃
surging; mighty
勉
to strive, to make an effort
勋
merit, military achievement
勒
tie tightly; tighten
勘
to investigate, to examine
募
to recruit, to enlist
Vocabulary with the 力 radical
301 wordsWords containing at least one character with the 力 radical, ordered by HSK level.
The free plan shows 9 words per HSK level (56/301 words of this radical).
to move
movement, gesture
to do; to handle; to manage
office
way; solution
to add; to plus
come on; go for it
animal
zoo
to make an effort; to try hard
to take part; to join
active; proactive; on one's own initiative
to hold; to organize
task; assignment; mission
advantage; favorable position
civil servant; public official
force
strength; power; force
to handle; to process (procedures, affairs)
martial arts; kung fu; skill mastered through training
duty, obligation
to exert all one's strength
physical strength
to handle affairs, to do business
to join, to enter
gas station
to work overtime
to sway, to waver
animated film, cartoon
business
to host, to organize
action; movement
human resources
physical strength
impulsive, agitated
to advise, to persuade
to add
to apply; to implement
to interact, to exchange
with all one's strength, all-out
to set out, to set off
to found, to establish
office, representative office
to work, to handle office work
to run a school, to manage a school
to join (a franchise), to join up
animation
continuously, without stopping
Every gesture, every action
motionless, not moving an inch
to make an effort, to put in work
main force, backbone
affairs, work
office, law firm or accounting firm
to help one another, mutual aid
approachability, charisma, affability
Why learn vocabulary by the 力 radical?
The 力 radical hints at the meaning strength, power. When you meet an unfamiliar character carrying it, you already know part of its meaning before reaching for a dictionary — which is why learners who know their radicals move faster.
How to study: read the memory hook, skim the 23 characters to spot the pattern, then drill the 301 words with flashcards. Spaced repetition brings each word back exactly when you need it.