Meaning of 权力
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- power
- authority
How to use 权力
权力 refers to political, legal, or organizational power, the kind held by governments, officials, or bosses. It often appears with verbs like 有 (yǒu), 掌握 (zhǎngwò), or 滥用 (lànyòng). Example: 他滥用了自己的权力。(Tā lànyòng le zìjǐ de quánlì.) He abused his power.
权 (quán) means authority or the right to decide, and 力 (lì) means strength. Put the right to decide together with the strength to enforce it and you get 权力, power over others.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 权力 (quánlì, power) with 权利 (quánlì, rights). They sound exactly the same, but 权利 uses 利 (benefit) and means rights like 人权 or the right to vote. Also, do not use 权力 for physical strength. Use 力量 (lìliàng) for that.
权力 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
权 quán · authority · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
力 lì · power · 2 strokes
- 1
- 2
Related words
Words that share a character with 权力.
| 努力 | nǔlì | to make an effort; to try hard; to strive; hard-working; conscientious |
| 力量 | lìliàng | power; force; strength |
| 能力 | nénglì | capability; ability |
| 压力 | yālì | pressure |
| 动力 | dònglì | motive power; (fig.) motivation; impetus |
| 实力 | shílì | strength |
| 听力 | tīnglì | hearing; listening ability |
| 权利 | quánlì | right (i.e. an entitlement to sth); (classical) power and wealth |
| 巧克力 | qiǎokèlì | (loanword) chocolate |
| 尽力 | jìnlì | to strive one's hardest; to spare no effort |
| 力气 | lìqi | physical strength |
| 精力 | jīnglì | energy (physical or mental) |
Questions about 权力
What does 权力 mean?
权力 (quánlì) means "power; authority" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 权力?
权力 is made of 2 characters: 权 (6 strokes), 力 (2 strokes). That is 8 strokes in total.
Is 权力 an HSK word?
Yes. 权力 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 权力 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 权力 is written 權力.
What is the difference between 权力 and 力量?
权力 is authority over people or decisions, like a mayor's power. 力量 is strength or force in general, physical or abstract, like 团结的力量 (the power of unity).
How do I say someone has a lot of power?
You can say 他很有权力 (tā hěn yǒu quánlì) or 他权力很大 (tā quánlì hěn dà). In casual speech people also say 有权 (yǒu quán) for someone who is influential.