力 vs 力量 vs 力气

力 (lì), 力量 (lìliàng), and 力气 (lìqi), these three words all relate to "strength" or "force", but they differ in usage, formality, and meaning focus. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. 力 (lì) – "Force / Strength" (Abstract, General)

• Meaning:
  • Refers to abstract or scientific concepts of force/strength.
  • Used in physics, mechanics, or metaphorical expressions.
• Usage Rules:
  • Rarely used alone in spoken Chinese (usually in compounds).
  • Common in technical terms, idioms, or fixed phrases.
• Key Idea: Broad, conceptual "force."

Examples:

✅ 重力 (zhònglì) – "Gravity" (lit. "heavy force")
✅ 风力 (fēnglì) – "Wind power"
✅ 努力 (nǔlì) – "To strive" (lit. "exert force")
✅ 他很有力地反驳了对方。 (Tā hěn yǒulì de fǎnbóle duìfāng.) – "He forcefully refuted the opponent."

2. 力量 (lìliàng) – "Strength / Power" (Formal, Broad)

• Meaning:
  • Refers to physical, mental, or collective strength.
  • Can imply power, influence, or capability.
• Usage Rules:
  • Used in written and formal contexts.
  • Can describe people, objects, or abstract forces (e.g., "the power of science").
• Key Idea: General "strength" with a serious tone.

Examples:

✅ 团结就是力量。 (Tuánjié jiùshì lìliàng.) – "Unity is strength."
✅ 她很有力量，能举起重物。 (Tā hěn yǒu lìliàng, néng jǔqǐ zhòngwù.) – "She is very strong and can lift heavy objects."
✅ 科技的力量改变了世界。 (Kējì de lìliàng gǎibiànle shìjiè.) – "The power of technology changed the world."

3. 力气 (lìqi) – "Physical Strength" (Casual, Personal)

• Meaning:
  • Refers to a person’s or animal’s physical strength.
  • Used in everyday spoken Chinese.
• Usage Rules:
  • Focuses on individual muscle power.
  • Often used with "大/小" (big/small) or "没力气" (no strength).
• Key Idea: Body strength (not abstract).

Examples:

✅ 他力气很大，能搬动冰箱。 (Tā lìqi hěn dà, néng bān dòng bīngxiāng.) – "He’s very strong; he can move the fridge."
✅ 我累得没力气说话了。 (Wǒ lèi de méi lìqi shuōhuà le.) – "I’m too tired to speak."
✅ 小孩子没什么力气。 (Xiǎoháizi méi shénme lìqi.) – "The child doesn’t have much strength."

Comparison Table

Key Differences

Scope:

• 力 → Abstract/scientific force.
• 力量 → Broad strength (physical/mental/collective).
• 力气 → Only physical strength (individual).

Formality:

• 力 → Technical/idiomatic.
• 力量 → Formal/written.
• 力气 → Casual/spoken.

Usage:

• 力 rarely stands alone (e.g., 能力, 动力).
• 力量 can describe people, groups, or concepts.
• 力气 is only for body strength.

When to Use Which?

• Use 力 when:
  • Talking about physics, idioms, or compounds (e.g., 电力 – electricity).
• Use 力量 when:
  • Describing power/influence (e.g., 国家的力量 – a nation’s strength).
• Use 力气 when:
  • Talking about a person’s muscle power (e.g., 我没力气 – I’m exhausted).

Advanced Notes

• 力 can mean "effort" in idioms (e.g., "尽力" – "do one’s best").
• 力量 can imply "resources" (e.g., "军事力量" – "military power").
• 力气 is never used for machines (e.g., ❌ "这台机器力气很大" → Use 力量).

Summary

• 力 (lì) → Abstract/scientific force (e.g., 风力 – wind power).
• 力量 (lìliàng) → General strength/power (e.g., 人民的力量 – people’s power).
• 力气 (lìqi) → Personal physical strength (e.g., 他力气小 – He’s weak).

Example Contrast:

1. Technical: "风力发电" (Fēnglì fādiàn) – "Wind power generation" (力).
2. Formal: "团队的力量" (Tuánduì de lìliàng) – "The strength of a team" (力量).
3. Casual: "我力气用完了。" (Wǒ lìqi yòng wán le.) – "I ran out of strength." (力气).