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| 实力 [2025/08/09 02:21] – created xiaoer | 实力 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== shílì: 实力 - Strength, Power, Capability ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 实力, shili, Chinese strength, capability in Chinese, real strength, demonstrate strength, Chinese power, HSK 实力, what does shili mean, shili vs nengli, shili vs liliang | |
| * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **实力 (shílì)**, a crucial Chinese term for understanding power and success. More than just physical strength, **实力 (shílì)** refers to tangible, proven capability and real-world power. Whether discussing a company's market dominance, a nation's influence, or an individual's professional competence, this word captures the Chinese cultural value of demonstrated results over mere potential. This guide will break down its characters, cultural importance, and practical use with many examples, helping you grasp what "real strength" means in a Chinese context. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shílì | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** Real, tangible strength; actual capability or demonstrated power. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **实力 (shílì)** is strength you can see and measure. It's not about potential, talk, or theory; it's about proven results. Think of it as the difference between saying you're a good programmer and having a portfolio of amazing apps. **实力** is the portfolio. It's a company's market share, a sports team's championship titles, or an army's advanced weaponry. It is a pragmatic and highly respected concept that signifies concrete, undeniable competence. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **实 (shí):** This character means "real," "actual," "solid," or "true." It's found in words like **事实 (shìshí)** - "fact" and **实在 (shízài)** - "really" or "honest." It points to things that are concrete and exist in reality. | |
| * **力 (lì):** This character means "power," "strength," or "force." The character is a pictograph of an ancient plow, symbolizing physical effort and power. | |
| * The two characters combine to mean "real power" or "actual strength." This distinguishes it from potential strength or abstract force, emphasizing a power that has been tested and proven to be effective. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| In Chinese culture, **实力 (shílì)** is a cornerstone of respect and success. There's a strong cultural pragmatism that values what is real and demonstrable over what is said or promised. A common saying is **用实力说话 (yòng shílì shuōhuà)**, which literally means "to speak with strength," or more accurately, "let the results speak for themselves." | |
| This contrasts with some Western cultural tendencies that might place a higher value on charisma, vision, or "potential." While these are also valued in China, they are often seen as secondary to hard proof. A person, company, or nation with **实力** has earned its position and doesn't need to rely on bluster or charm. It implies a foundation of hard work, strategic planning, and tangible achievement. This concept is fundamental to understanding competition and ambition in China, from business negotiations to international relations. Having **实力** is the ultimate validation. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **实力** is a common and versatile word used in many formal and informal contexts. | |
| * **Business and Economics:** It's used to describe a company's financial health, market position, R&D capabilities, and overall competitiveness. A **实力雄厚 (shílì xiónghòu)** company is one that is "strong and solid." | |
| * **Sports and Competition:** It refers to a team's or athlete's proven ability to win. Commentators will often analyze the **实力** of two competing teams. | |
| * **International Relations:** It's used to discuss a country's **综合国力 (zōnghé guólì)** - comprehensive national power, which includes economic, military, and technological strength. | |
| * **Personal and Professional Life:** It describes an individual's proven skills and competence in their field. A job candidate might be asked to demonstrate their **实力** to an employer. | |
| The connotation is almost always neutral or positive. To say someone has **实力** is a high compliment. To say they lack it is a factual assessment of their current capabilities. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 我们公司需要用**实力**来证明自己。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī xūyào yòng **shílì** lái zhèngmíng zìjǐ. | |
| * English: Our company needs to use its strength to prove itself. | |
| * Analysis: A classic business context. The "strength" here refers to market performance, product quality, financial results—all tangible proofs of competence. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 从球员阵容来看，巴西队的**实力**非常强。 | |
| * Pinyin: Cóng qiúyuán zhènróng lái kàn, Bāxī duì de **shílì** fēicháng qiáng. | |
| * English: Looking at the player lineup, the Brazilian team's strength is formidable. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **实力** is used to assess a sports team's overall competitive capability based on its members' proven skills. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 他很有才华，但还没有机会展示自己的**实力**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā hěn yǒu cáihuá, dàn hái méiyǒu jīhuì zhǎnshì zìjǐ de **shílì**. | |
| * English: He is very talented, but he hasn't had a chance to show his true capabilities yet. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence nicely distinguishes between talent/potential (**才华 - cáihuá**) and demonstrated strength (**实力**). He has the potential, but it hasn't been proven yet. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 这两家手机公司的**实力**不相上下。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè liǎng jiā shǒujī gōngsī de **shílì** bù xiāng shàng xià. | |
| * English: The strength of these two mobile phone companies is about the same. | |
| * Analysis: The idiom **不相上下 (bù xiāng shàng xià)** means "on par with each other." **实力** is the perfect word here for comparing the overall competitive power (market share, technology, brand recognition) of two entities. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 在绝对的**实力**面前，任何技巧都是没用的。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài juéduì de **shílì** miànqián, rènhé jìqiǎo dōu shì méiyòng de. | |
| * English: In the face of absolute power, any tricks are useless. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence highlights the overwhelming nature of true **实力**. It suggests that real, foundational power trumps clever but superficial tactics. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 一个国家的经济**实力**是其国际地位的基础。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yī ge guójiā de jīngjì **shílì** shì qí guójì dìwèi de jīchǔ. | |
| * English: A country's economic strength is the foundation of its international status. | |
| * Analysis: This shows the use of **实力** in a geopolitical context. "Economic strength" is a specific and crucial type of national **实力**. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 别小看他，他的**实力**远超你的想象。 | |
| * Pinyin: Bié xiǎokàn tā, tā de **shílì** yuǎn chāo nǐ de xiǎngxiàng. | |
| * English: Don't underestimate him; his capabilities are far beyond what you imagine. | |
| * Analysis: A common warning. The "capabilities" here imply a history of success or a set of skills that might not be immediately obvious but are very real. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 想要进入这家顶尖的律所，你必须有超群的**实力**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Xiǎngyào jìnrù zhè jiā dǐngjiān de lǜsuǒ, nǐ bìxū yǒu chāoqún de **shílì**. | |
| * English: If you want to get into this top-tier law firm, you must have outstanding capabilities. | |
| * Analysis: **超群 (chāoqún)** means "outstanding" or "preeminent." In a professional context, **实力** refers to your resume, track record, and proven expertise. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 这场比赛我们输了，主要是**实力**差距太大了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen shū le, zhǔyào shi **shílì** chājù tài dà le. | |
| * English: We lost this match, mainly because the gap in strength was too big. | |
| * Analysis: A frank and pragmatic admission of defeat. It's not about luck or a single mistake; it's a recognition of a fundamental difference in overall capability. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 他通过多年的努力，不断增强自己的**实力**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā tōngguò duōnián de nǔlì, bùduàn zēngqiáng zìjǐ de **shílì**. | |
| * English: Through years of hard work, he continuously built up his own capabilities. | |
| * Analysis: This shows that **实力** isn't static. It can be cultivated and strengthened over time through effort and gaining experience. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| A frequent point of confusion for learners is distinguishing **实力 (shílì)** from similar words like **力量 (lìliàng)** and **能力 (nénglì)**. | |
| * **实力 (shílì) vs. 力量 (lìliàng):** | |
| * **力量 (lìliàng)** is general "strength" or "force." It can be physical (e.g., the strength to lift a box) or abstract (e.g., the power of love, the force of nature). | |
| * **实力 (shílì)** is specifically about *proven, competitive capability*. | |
| * **Incorrect:** 我没有**实力**打开这个罐子。(Wǒ méiyǒu **shílì** dǎkāi zhège guànzi.) -> I don't have the capability to open this jar. | |
| * **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. | |
| * **Correct:** 我们公司没有**实力**和苹果竞争。(Wǒmen gōngsī méiyǒu **shílì** hé Píngguǒ jìngzhēng.) -> Our company doesn't have the (competitive) strength to compete with Apple. | |
| * **实力 (shílì) vs. 能力 (nénglì):** | |
| * **能力 (nénglì)** is "ability," "skill," or "capacity." It often refers to an innate or learned potential. You can have the **能力** to do something without having ever done it successfully. | |
| * **实力 (shílì)** is that **能力** put into practice and proven with results. It is your **能力** converted into a track record. | |
| * Example: A fresh graduate has the **能力** (ability) to code, but a senior engineer with 10 years of experience and many successful projects has **实力** (proven capability). | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[力量]] (lìliàng) - A more general term for strength or force, which can be physical or abstract. | |
| * [[能力]] (nénglì) - The inherent ability or potential to do something; the foundation upon which **实力** is built. | |
| * [[本事]] (běnshi) - A colloquial term for real skill or competence, similar to **实力** but used more for individuals in informal contexts. | |
| * [[水平]] (shuǐpíng) - "Level" or "standard." A person's **实力** determines their **水平**. | |
| * [[潜能]] (qiánnéng) - "Potential" or "latent ability." This is the opposite of **实力**, which is realized and demonstrated ability. | |
| * [[势力]] (shìlì) - Power and influence, especially in a social or political sense. It often carries a slightly negative connotation of a faction or clique's power, whereas **实力** is more neutral and merit-based. | |
| * [[国力]] (guólì) - "National power/strength." A specific type of **实力** applied to a country. | |
| * [[竞争力]] (jìngzhēnglì) - "Competitiveness." A direct result and measure of a company's or person's **实力**. | |