乏力 fálì lacking in strength
lacking in strength; weak; feeble; not up to the task
How to remember 乏力: 乏 poor + 力 power = lacking in strength.
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How it is used
- Physically drained / lacking energy - 浑身乏力 (húnshēn fálì) weak all over, a common way to describe illness or fatigue.
- Also figurative for an ineffective effort: 增长乏力 (zēngzhǎng fálì) sluggish growth, 后劲乏力 (hòujìn fálì) losing steam.
- More formal than 没力气 (méi lìqi, have no strength); common in medical and economic writing.