不力 (búlì) refers to a lack of effort or insufficient strength in doing something. It is often used in contexts where someone or something fails to perform adequately, highlighting a deficiency in capability or energy. This term can apply to both physical and metaphorical situations, such as a lack of contribution in a team or insufficient support in a project.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
búlì(bu4li4) T4
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
May 27, 2026
不力búlì(bu4li4)
不力 (búlì) refers to a lack of effort or insufficient strength in doing something. It is often used in contexts where someone or something fails to perform adequately, highlighting a deficiency in capability or energy. This term can apply to both physical and metaphorical situations, such as a lack of contribution in a team or insufficient support in a project.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of effort is highly valued, especially in education and work. The use of 不力 can reflect societal expectations for individuals to contribute fully and the importance placed on collective success.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to lift a heavy weight but failing due to their lack of strength. The character '不' (bù) means 'not,' and '力' (lì) means 'strength' or 'effort.' Visualize a big 'NO' sign over the weight, indicating 'not strong enough' – that's what 不力 conveys.
About 不力
不力Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 不力
Podcast: 不力
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 不力
Quick Contrast
无力 (wúlì) - use 不力 (búlì) when emphasizing a failure to exert effort, while 无力 (wúlì) suggests a lack of physical strength or capability.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to lift a heavy weight but failing due to their lack of strength. The character '不' (bù) means 'not,' and '力' (lì) means 'strength' or 'effort.' Visualize a big 'NO' sign over the weight, indicating 'not strong enough' – that's what 不力 conveys.
Usage Notes
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 不力 with similar expressions like 努力 (nǔlì), which means 'to strive' or 'to work hard.' 不力 can carry a negative connotation, so it is generally used in more formal contexts. Be mindful of tone; it is often used to critique performance, which may come across as harsh in casual conversations.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, students should focus on understanding nuanced meanings and contexts of words like 不力. This word connects with other vocabulary related to effort and performance, such as 努力 (nǔlì) and 成功 (chénggōng), helping to expand their expression of capability and achievement.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of effort is highly valued, especially in education and work. The use of 不力 can reflect societal expectations for individuals to contribute fully and the importance placed on collective success.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 不力 with 努力 (nǔlì) and mistakenly say '他不力' (tā bùlì) to mean 'he is hardworking.' The correct usage would be to say '他不努力' (tā bù nǔlì).
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 不力
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 不力 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 不力 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 不力
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of effort is highly valued, especially in education and work. The use of 不力 can reflect societal expectations for individuals to contribute fully and the importance placed on collective success.
Frequently Asked Questions about 不力
You can say '他的表现很不力' (tā de biǎoxiàn hěn búlì) which means 'His performance is very insufficient.'
No, 不力 can also describe situations, such as '这个项目的支持不力' (zhège xiàngmù de zhīchí búlì), meaning 'The support for this project is insufficient.'
Typically, 不力 has a negative connotation and is not used in positive contexts.
