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效力 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
效力xiàolìeffectivenessHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6942, Very Hard
效力xiàolìpositive effectHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6942, Very Hard
效力xiàolìto serve (in some capacity)HSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #6942, Very Hard
xiàolì(xiao4li4)xiao li T4
  1. 1effectiveness
  2. 2positive effect
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March 24, 2026

效力xiàolì(xiao4li4)

The term 效力 (xiàolì) refers to the effectiveness or potency of something, often in a positive sense. It is commonly used in contexts such as discussing the efficacy of a product, policy, or strategy, emphasizing its beneficial impact or results.

Strokes12Frequency#6942DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 效力 is often applied in traditional medicine, where the effectiveness of remedies is a critical factor. The discussion around effectiveness extends into business, where companies emphasize their products' 效力 to gain consumer trust.

Memory tip

Imagine a powerful 'effect' (效) that has a 'force' (力) behind it, like a superhero using their strength to create positive change. The character 效 combines the radical for 'effect' with the radical for 'force', suggesting that effectiveness comes from both the result and the strength behind it.

Meanings of 效力

xiàolì(xiao4li4)
1effectiveness
2positive effect
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About 效力

效力Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 效力

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AI study notes for 效力

Quick Contrast

有效性 (yǒuxiào xìng) refers specifically to the validity or effectiveness of something in a more technical or scientific context, while 效力 (xiàolì) emphasizes the overall potency or effectiveness in a broader sense.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 效力 with similar words like 效果 (xiàoguǒ), which means 'effect' rather than 'effectiveness'. 效力 is more formal and should be used in contexts like academic writing or professional discussions. Pay attention to the tone; both characters are fourth tone, which can be challenging.

HSK Study Tips

While 效力 may not be explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it is relevant for learners aiming for HSK 5 or 6, as it appears in discussions about policies and effectiveness. Focus on contextual usage and collocations with verbs like '提高' (tí gāo, to improve) or '增强' (zēng qiáng, to enhance).

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 效力 by using it interchangeably with 效果, leading to phrases like '这个药的效果很高' (This medicine has a high effect), which should be corrected to '这个药的效力很高' (This medicine is very effective).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 效力

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Component characters

效xiàoto imitate
HSK 410 strokes攵
View full entry
力lìpower
HSK 52 strokes力
View full entry

How to say effectiveness in Chinese

“effectiveness” in Chinese is效力xiàolì

The term 效力 (xiàolì) refers to the effectiveness or potency of something, often in a positive sense. It is commonly used in contexts such as discussing the efficacy of a product, policy, or strategy, emphasizing its beneficial impact or results.

When to use 效力

Learners often confuse 效力 with similar words like 效果 (xiàoguǒ), which means 'effect' rather than 'effectiveness'. 效力 is more formal and should be used in contexts like academic writing or professional discussions. Pay attention to the tone; both characters are fourth tone, which can be challenging.

效力 or something close to it

有效性 (yǒuxiào xìng) refers specifically to the validity or effectiveness of something in a more technical or scientific context, while 效力 (xiàolì) emphasizes the overall potency or effectiveness in a broader sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 效力 by using it interchangeably with 效果, leading to phrases like '这个药的效果很高' (This medicine has a high effect), which should be corrected to '这个药的效力很高' (This medicine is very effective).

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效
力

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Frequently asked questions about 效力

Yes, but it's more common in formal contexts like business or academic discussions.

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