勢 (shì) - Power, force, strength, momentum & influence

勢Tone 4

shì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

勢 · shì

Power, force, strength, momentum;

influence;

situation, circumstances;

tendency, trend;

appearance, gesture.

Power, force, strength, momentuminfluencesituation, circumstances

Usage highlights

Power and influenceSituation and trendMomentumPosture and gesturePotential energyPower structure

Synonyms

  • 力— strength, force
  • 权— power, authority
  • 威— might, prestige

Antonyms

  • 弱— weakness, feebleness
  • 衰— decline, wane

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The political situation is changing rapidly (政治局势).
  • He has considerable influence in the industry (在行业中有很大势力).
  • The team gained momentum in the second half (球队在下半场势头强劲).
  • She made a gesture of greeting (她做了个打招呼的姿势).

Collocations

  • Power and influence(势力)
  • Situation and trend(形势)
  • Momentum(势头)
  • Posture and gesture(姿势)
  • Potential energy(势能)
  • Power structure(权势)

Idioms

  • Riding the momentum(势如破竹)
  • Taking advantage of the situation(因势利导)
  • The situation is like a drawn bow(势如张弓)
  • Powerful and overwhelming(气势磅礴)
  • The weak cannot contend with the strong(势不可挡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, 势 represents the inherent power or momentum in any situation, important in military strategy and statecraft.
  • The concept appears in Sun Tzu's Art of War regarding strategic advantage and momentum.
  • In traditional Chinese thought, 势 emphasizes working with natural tendencies rather than against them.

FAQ