Meaning
体力 refers to a person's physical strength, endurance, or stamina—the bodily capacity to perform physical tasks or sustain effort over time. It encompasses both muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance, and is commonly discussed in contexts of work, sports, health, and aging.
Usage
Native speakers use 体力 to discuss physical capability in everyday contexts like work fatigue, exercise capacity, or declining strength with age. Common patterns include 体力好/差 (good/poor stamina), 消耗体力 (to consume physical energy), and 体力活 (physical labor). It's a neutral, standard term used in both formal and informal speech.
Examples
- 01这份工作需要很大的体力。.This job requires a lot of physical strength.
- 02随着年龄增长，他的体力明显下降了。, .As he's gotten older, his physical stamina has noticeably declined.
Characters
Common collocations
- 体力劳动physical labor
- 消耗体力to expend physical energy
- 体力不支physical strength gives out
- 体力活physical work
Origin
体力 is a compound of 体 (body) and 力 (strength/power), literally meaning 'body strength.' This straightforward construction clearly conveys the concept of physical capability.