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魄力 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
魄力pòlìcourageHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, rank #24041, Very Hard
魄力pòlìdaringHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, rank #24041, Very Hard
魄力pòlìboldnessHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, rank #24041, Very Hard
魄力pòlìresolutionHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, rank #24041, Very Hard
魄力pòlìdriveHSK 7, n, 16 strokes, rank #24041, Very Hard
pòlì(po4li4)po li T4
  1. 1courage
  2. 2daring
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March 24, 2026

魄力pòlì(po4li4)

魄力 refers to a person's courage and determination to take bold actions. It is often used in contexts where someone demonstrates strong willpower or decisiveness, especially in challenging situations. This term conveys a sense of inner strength and the ability to act fearlessly.

Strokes16Frequency#24041DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 魄力 is highly valued in leaders and successful individuals. It is often associated with historical figures who made bold decisions that shaped the course of history, reflecting the cultural admiration for decisiveness and strength.

Memory tip

Imagine a brave warrior (魄, po4) standing on a cliff, ready to leap into the unknown with power and boldness (力, li4). The character 魄 looks like someone with a strong presence, while 力 symbolizes strength, helping you remember that 魄力 embodies the courage to take decisive action.

Meanings of 魄力

pòlì(po4li4)
1courage
2daring
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 魄力

魄力Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#24041Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 魄力

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Podcast: 魄力

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AI study notes for 魄力

Quick Contrast

决心 (juéxīn) - use 魄力 when emphasizing boldness and courage in action, while 决心 focuses more on determination and resolve.

Usage Notes

魄力 is typically used in formal contexts, such as speeches or discussions about leadership qualities. A common mistake is confusing it with synonyms like 勇气 (courage), which emphasizes bravery without the same connotation of decisiveness. Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing 魄 could lead to confusion.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 魄力 connects to other advanced vocabulary dealing with personal qualities and emotional states. When studying, focus on the contexts in which this word is used and practice forming sentences that highlight its meaning.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 魄力 with weaker terms like 勇气, which lacks the implication of decisive action. For example, saying '他很勇气' (He is very courageous) is incorrect; the right phrase would be '他有魄力' (He has boldness).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 魄力

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Component characters

魄pòsoul
14 strokes鬼
View full entry
力lìpower
HSK 52 strokes力
View full entry

How to say courage in Chinese

“courage” in Chinese is魄力pòlì

魄力 refers to a person's courage and determination to take bold actions. It is often used in contexts where someone demonstrates strong willpower or decisiveness, especially in challenging situations. This term conveys a sense of inner strength and the ability to act fearlessly.

When to use 魄力

魄力 is typically used in formal contexts, such as speeches or discussions about leadership qualities. A common mistake is confusing it with synonyms like 勇气 (courage), which emphasizes bravery without the same connotation of decisiveness. Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing 魄 could lead to confusion.

魄力 or something close to it

决心 (juéxīn) - use 魄力 when emphasizing boldness and courage in action, while 决心 focuses more on determination and resolve.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 魄力 with weaker terms like 勇气, which lacks the implication of decisive action. For example, saying '他很勇气' (He is very courageous) is incorrect; the right phrase would be '他有魄力' (He has boldness).

Write 魄力

魄
力

Practice writing 魄力 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 魄力

魄力 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 5 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她是个很有____的知识分子,不惧怕说出自己的想法。

She was a forceful intellectual unafraid to speak her mind.

Example sentences for 魄力 (1)

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1
她是个很有魄力的知识分子,不惧怕说出自己的想法。

tā shì gè hěn yǒu pòlì de zhīshifènzǐ, bù jù pà shuō chūzì jǐ de xiǎngfǎ。

She was a forceful intellectual unafraid to speak her mind.

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Frequently asked questions about 魄力

Common synonyms include 勇气 (courage) and 决心 (determination), but 魄力 specifically emphasizes boldness and the ability to act decisively.

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