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March 24, 2026
势(勢)shì(shi4)
The character 势 (shì) refers to power, influence, or potential, often in relation to a situation or trend. It can describe the dynamics of a particular context, indicating how conditions are poised to develop. Commonly, it is used in phrases discussing influence in social, political, or economic environments.
Strokes8Radical力Frequency#6841DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in concepts like 'Taoism,' 势 reflects the natural flow of power and influence in the universe, emphasizing harmony with the surrounding conditions. This idea is significant in understanding social dynamics in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'shining' (the pronunciation 'shì' sounds like 'shiny') force that exudes power. The character 势 has a strong structure, with the radical 力 (lì) symbolizing strength, suggesting that this power comes from a dynamic force. Visualize a powerful wave (势) that shapes the landscape (the situation) around it.
Meanings of 势
shì(shi4)
1power
2influence
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 势
势Simplified
勢Traditional
8Strokes
力Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6841Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 势
Podcast: 势
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AI Study Notes for 势
Quick Contrast
势 (shì) vs 力 (lì): Use 势 when referring to influence or potential in a situation, while 力 emphasizes physical strength or force.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'shining' (the pronunciation 'shì' sounds like 'shiny') force that exudes power. The character 势 has a strong structure, with the radical 力 (lì) symbolizing strength, suggesting that this power comes from a dynamic force. Visualize a powerful wave (势) that shapes the landscape (the situation) around it.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 势 with similar characters like 实 (shí) meaning 'real' or 'actual.' It is typically used in formal contexts, such as in discussions about political influence or market trends. Be mindful of the tone; 势 (shì) has a falling tone, which can be mixed up with the neutral tone in casual speech.
HSK Study Tips
Although 势 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects well with Level 4 vocabulary related to influence and power. Students should focus on context-based usage and collocations, such as 势力 (shìlì - influence/power) and 势头 (shìtóu - momentum).
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in concepts like 'Taoism,' 势 reflects the natural flow of power and influence in the universe, emphasizing harmony with the surrounding conditions. This idea is significant in understanding social dynamics in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 势 as 'shi' with a neutral tone instead of the correct 'shì' with a falling tone. Additionally, some may confuse it with 势 (shì) and 使用 (shǐyòng - use) in context, leading to incorrect phrases like 势使用 instead of 势头.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 势
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Grammar Patterns of 势
势 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
It must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings.
8
这几乎就是苏格兰局势的翻版。
zhè jī hū jiù shì sū gé lán jú shì de fān bǎn。
This is almost the mirror image of the situation in Scotland.
9
我们对这一形势的看法是一致的.
wǒ mén duì zhè yī xíng shì de kàn fǎ shì yī zhì de.
We are together in the way we're looking at this situation.
10
这是一部气势恢宏、引人入胜的电影，充满了动人心魄的瑰丽意象。
zhè shì yī bù qì shì huī hóng、 、 yǐn rén rù shèng de diàn， yǐng ， chōng mǎn le dòng rén xīn pò de guī lì。
This is an ambitious and intriguing movie, full of striking imagery.
Cultural Notes for 势
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in concepts like 'Taoism,' 势 reflects the natural flow of power and influence in the universe, emphasizing harmony with the surrounding conditions. This idea is significant in understanding social dynamics in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 势
Words Containing This Character20
优势yōushìsuperiority優勢
姿势zīshìposture姿勢
势shìpower勢
形势xíngshìcircumstances形勢
趋势qūshìtrend趨勢
局势júshìsituation局勢
势力shìlìpower勢力
走势tendency走勢
手势shǒushìgesture手勢
强势qiángshìstrong強勢
势头shìtoupower勢頭
气势qìshìloftiness氣勢
伤势shāngshìcondition of an injury傷勢
态势posture態勢
攻势(military) offensive攻勢
虚张声势(false) bravado虛張聲勢
权势power權勢
劣势lièshìinferior劣勢
火势lively火勢
势必shìbìto be bound to勢必
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 优势 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 势
While 势 (shì) refers to influence or tendency, 权力 (quánlì) specifically means 'power' in a legal or authoritative sense. Understanding this distinction can help clarify discussions about social or political contexts.
Common phrases including 势 (shì) are '势不可挡' (shì bù kě dǎng), meaning 'unstoppable momentum,' and '势力' (shìlì), meaning 'influence or power.' These phrases are useful in discussions about social dynamics or power structures.
势 (shì) means power, influence, or potential in Chinese. It can also refer to momentum or tendencies in various contexts, such as social trends or personal influence. Understanding its usage can help you describe dynamics in different situations.
You can use 势 (shì) in sentences to express influence or trend. For example, '这股势头很强' (zhè gǔ shìtóu hěn qiáng) means 'This momentum is very strong.' It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
Common phrases include 势力 (shìlì - influence) and 势头 (shìtóu - momentum). These phrases are frequently encountered in discussions about politics and economics.
Yes, while it is more formal, 势 can be used in everyday discussions, especially when talking about trends or situations that exhibit power or influence.
The correct pronunciation is 'shì' with a falling tone. Practice saying it with emphasis on the downward pitch.
