jīnglì: 精力 - Energy, Vigor, Stamina

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 精力 (jīnglì), a fundamental Chinese word for a person's combined physical and mental energy, vigor, and stamina. Unlike the English word “energy,” which can refer to electricity or physics, `精力` is exclusively about the personal “battery level” you need for work, study, and daily life. This guide breaks down its cultural roots, practical usage in modern China, and key differences from similar terms, providing a deep and practical understanding for any learner.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jīnglì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A person's physical and mental energy, vigor, or stamina.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `精力` as your personal, finite power source for life. It's not just physical muscle (that's `力气, lìqi`) or scientific energy (that's `能量, néngliàng`), but the holistic fuel that powers your ability to focus, endure, and act. When you say you “have no `精力`,” you mean you're feeling completely drained, both mentally and physically, unable to concentrate or perform tasks effectively. It's the resource you manage throughout your day to be productive and feel well.

• 精 (jīng): This character's core meaning is “essence,” “spirit,” or “refined.” It originally depicted polished or selected rice. It represents the most concentrated, pure, and essential part of something.
• 力 (lì): This character is a pictogram of a plow or a muscular arm, meaning “strength,” “force,” or “power.”
• Combined Meaning: Together, 精力 (jīnglì) literally translates to “essence-power.” This beautifully captures the concept: it's not raw, brute force, but a refined, essential energy that fuels both the mind and the body. It’s the core vitality that allows a person to function.

`精力` is deeply embedded in the Chinese worldview, particularly through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the concept of `养生 (yǎngshēng)`, or “nurturing life.” In TCM, `精 (jīng)` is one of the “Three Treasures” (三宝, sānbǎo), along with `气 (qì)` and `神 (shén)`. `精` is the foundational essence you are born with and acquire through food and air; it is the material basis for life itself. This cultural underpinning gives `精力` a weightier, more fundamental meaning than the Western concept of “energy.” Comparison with Western “Energy”: In the West, “energy” is often viewed as something to be maximized and expended, especially in “hustle culture.” We “power through” tasks and “recharge” with caffeine. The Chinese concept of `精力` is more akin to a precious, finite resource that must be wisely managed and conserved. You don't just expend `精力`; you allocate it (`分配精力, fēnpèi jīnglì`) and preserve it (`保存精力, bǎocún jīnglì`). The goal is not explosive output but sustainable well-being, which is the heart of `养生`. This reflects a cultural value of balance and long-term wellness over short-term gains.

`精力` is an everyday word used in various contexts, from the office to conversations about health.

• Work and Study: It's extremely common to discuss one's capacity for work.
  • “I don't have the energy to work overtime tonight.” (我今天晚上没有精力加班。)
  • “You need to put all your energy into preparing for the exam.” (你要把精力都放在准备考试上。)
• Health and Age: `精力` is often seen as a key indicator of health and vitality, which naturally declines with age.
  • Young people are often described with the idiom `精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi)`, meaning “brimming with energy.”
  • An older person might say, “My energy isn't what it used to be.” (我的精力不如从前了。)
• Allocation of Focus: A very common structure is `把精力放在… (bǎ jīnglì fàng zài…)`, meaning “to place/put one's energy on/into…” This treats energy as a resource to be directed.
  • “As a manager, he puts most of his energy into team building.” (作为经理，他把大部分精力都放在团队建设上。)

Its connotation is neutral, but the context usually makes it positive (having it) or negative (lacking it). It's used in both formal and informal speech.

• Example 1:
  • 好的睡眠可以帮助我们恢复精力。
  • Pinyin: Hǎo de shuìmián kěyǐ bāngzhù wǒmen huīfù jīnglì.
  • English: Good sleep can help us recover our energy.
  • Analysis: A straightforward and common use, showing `精力` as a resource that can be restored.
• Example 2:
  • 他最近工作太忙，精力有点跟不上了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn gōngzuò tài máng, jīnglì yǒudiǎn gēn bu shàng le.
  • English: He's been too busy with work recently, and his energy can't quite keep up.
  • Analysis: `跟不上 (gēn bu shàng)` means “can't keep up.” This phrase perfectly illustrates `精力` as the fuel needed to meet life's demands.
• Example 3:
  • 这项工作需要投入大量的精力和时间。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng gōngzuò xūyào tóurù dàliàng de jīnglì hé shíjiān.
  • English: This job requires investing a large amount of energy and time.
  • Analysis: `投入 (tóurù)` means “to invest” or “to put in.” This treats `精力` like a form of capital you invest in a project.
• Example 4:
  • 你还有精力去看电影吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ hái yǒu jīnglì qù kàn diànyǐng ma?
  • English: Do you still have the energy to go see a movie?
  • Analysis: A simple, everyday question. Notice this implies both the physical energy to go out and the mental energy to enjoy a film.
• Example 5:
  • 年轻人总是精力充沛，好像永远不会累。
  • Pinyin: Niánqīng rén zǒngshì jīnglì chōngpèi, hǎoxiàng yǒngyuǎn bú huì lèi.
  • English: Young people are always full of energy, as if they never get tired.
  • Analysis: This uses the very common four-character idiom `精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi)`, which is the go-to phrase to describe someone as energetic.
• Example 6:
  • 请不要在小事上浪费你的精力。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng búyào zài xiǎoshì shàng làngfèi nǐ de jīnglì.
  • English: Please don't waste your energy on trivial matters.
  • Analysis: `浪费 (làngfèi)` means “to waste.” This reinforces the idea of `精力` as a precious and limited resource.
• Example 7:
  • 当了父母以后，我的精力主要都放在孩子身上了。
  • Pinyin: Dāng le fùmǔ yǐhòu, wǒ de jīnglì zhǔyào dōu fàng zài háizi shēnshang le.
  • English: After becoming a parent, my energy is now mainly focused on my child.
  • Analysis: This shows how life priorities dictate the allocation of one's `精力`.
• Example 8:
  • 他试图集中精力，但还是被外面的噪音分散了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shìtú jízhōng jīnglì, dànshì háishì bèi wàimiàn de zàoyīn fēnsàn le.
  • English: He tried to concentrate his energy (focus), but was still distracted by the noise outside.
  • Analysis: Here, `集中精力 (jízhōng jīnglì)` is a set phrase meaning “to concentrate” or “to focus one's mind.”
• Example 9:
  • 爷爷年纪大了，精力大不如前。
  • Pinyin: Yéye niánjì dà le, jīnglì dà bùrú qián.
  • English: Grandpa is old now, and his energy is not nearly what it used to be.
  • Analysis: `大不如前 (dà bùrú qián)` is an idiom meaning “not as good as before.” It's frequently used with `精力` to talk about aging.
• Example 10:
  • 为了明天的比赛，我们必须保存精力。
  • Pinyin: Wèile míngtiān de bǐsài, wǒmen bìxū bǎocún jīnglì.
  • English: For the sake of tomorrow's competition, we must conserve our energy.
  • Analysis: `保存 (bǎocún)` means “to preserve” or “to conserve.” This is a strategic use of the concept, common in sports or before a major event.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing `精力` with other Chinese words for “energy” or “strength.”

• `精力` (jīnglì) vs. `能量` (néngliàng):
  • `精力` is personal, human vitality (physical + mental).
  • `能量` is the scientific term for energy (e.g., calories in food, solar energy, kinetic energy).
  • Incorrect: ~~这个电池有很多精力。~~ (This battery has a lot of `jīnglì`.)
  • Correct: 这个电池有很多电量/能量。 (This battery has a lot of charge/energy.)
  • Tip: If you can measure it in joules or calories, use `能量`. If you're talking about feeling “drained” or “focused,” use `精力`.
• `精力` (jīnglì) vs. `力气` (lìqi):
  • `精力` is your overall stamina and mental focus.
  • `力气` is pure physical, muscular strength for a specific action.
  • Example: You need `力气` to lift a heavy suitcase. You need `精力` to pack for the trip, travel through the airport for 5 hours, and still be alert when you arrive.
  • Incorrect: ~~他没有精力把那个箱子搬起来。~~ (He doesn't have the `jīnglì` to lift that box.) - While not strictly wrong, `力气 (lìqi)` is much more natural here if the problem is just physical strength.
  • Correct: 他没有力气把那个箱子搬起来。(He doesn't have the strength to lift that box.)
  • Correct: 他今天搬了一天家，已经没有精力了。(He's been moving all day and has no energy left.) - This refers to the overall exhaustion, not just the strength for one more task.

• 体力 (tǐlì) - Physical strength, stamina. It's the physical component of `精力`.
• 脑力 (nǎolì) - Brainpower, mental acuity. It's the mental component of `精力`.
• 精神 (jīngshén) - Spirit, mind, consciousness, morale. Very close to `精力`. `精神` refers more to your mental state and alertness, while `精力` is the fuel that powers that state.
• 活力 (huólì) - Vitality, life force, vigor. A close synonym, but `活力` often implies a more dynamic, active, and youthful expression of energy.
• 疲劳 (píláo) - Fatigue, weariness. The state of having very low `精力`.
• 累 (lèi) - Tired. The feeling of lacking `精力`.
• 养生 (yǎngshēng) - The traditional Chinese practice of nurturing life and health, often with the goal of preserving `精力`.
• 能量 (néngliàng) - Scientific energy (e.g., calories, electricity). A “false friend” to be careful with.
• 力气 (lìqi) - Physical strength, muscle power. Distinct from the holistic concept of `精力`.
• 精力充沛 (jīng lì chōng pèi) - A common idiom (chengyu) meaning “full of energy; vigorous.” The most common way to say someone is energetic.