Learn a Chinese Character - 劲

1. Character Basics

Radical: 力/lì (power radical)

Stroke Count: 7

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jìn (fourth tone) / jìng (fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Strength, power, energy, vigor, effort, force

4. Common Words

• 劲头 (jìn tóu): Energy, drive, enthusiasm
• 有劲 (yǒu jìn): Strong, energetic, powerful
• 干劲 (gàn jìn): Enthusiasm for work, drive
• 强劲 (qiáng jìng): Strong, powerful, forceful
• 刚劲 (gāng jìng): Bold, vigorous, firm
• 使劲 (shǐ jìn): To exert oneself, to put forth effort

5. Grammar & Usage

Pronunciation variations:
- jìn (fourth tone): When meaning "strength" or "energy" - jìng (fourth tone): When meaning "strong" or "forceful" (more literary)

As a noun:
- 用力气 (yòng lì qì): To use strength
- 干劲十足 (gàn jìn shí zú): Full of enthusiasm for work

As an adjective:
- 他很劲 (tā hěn jìn): He is very strong (colloquial)
- 风很大劲 (fēng hěn dà jìn): The wind is very strong (colloquial)

In idioms:
- 鼓足干劲 (gǔ zú gàn jìn): To summon up all one's energy
- 疾风知劲草 (jí fēng zhī jìng cǎo): Strong wind reveals the strength of grass - adversity reveals true character
- 劲敌当前 (jìng dí dāng qián): A formidable enemy is before us

Usage patterns:
- Often used in expressions related to physical strength, energy, or power
- Can be used as both a noun and adjective, with different pronunciation depending on usage

6. Cultural Background

The character 劲 holds important cultural meanings in Chinese society:

Martial arts significance:
- In Chinese martial arts, 劲 (jìng) has special meaning, referring to internal strength or power that comes from proper technique rather than just brute force
- Different styles of martial arts emphasize various types of 劲, such as 内劲 (internal power)

Philosophical balance:
- Chinese philosophy emphasizes the balance between 劲 (strength) and 柔 (softness), as seen in tai chi and other martial arts
- The concept of 以柔克刚 (yǐ róu kè gāng) - using softness to overcome strength - demonstrates this balance

Work culture:
- The concept of 干劲 (work enthusiasm) is highly valued in Chinese work culture
- Phrases like 鼓足干劲 (summon up energy) are commonly used to encourage diligence and effort

TCM perspective:
- Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes different types of 劲 in the body's energy systems
- Balanced 劲 flow is considered important for health and vitality

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

Character breakdown:
- 巠 (jīng) on the left
- 力 (lì, power) on the right

Mnemonic:
Remember that 劲 combines 力 (power) with 巠 (which suggests something running through or flowing), representing the flow of power or energy.

Visual association:
The right side 力 clearly indicates power, while the left side 巠 gives the character its pronunciation and suggests the idea of something that runs through or pervades, like energy.