使劲 shǐjìn to exert all one's strength
How to remember 使劲: 使 use + 劲 strong = to exert all one's strength.
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How it is used
- To exert force / put one's back into it - 使劲拉 (shǐjìn lā) to pull hard, 使劲儿 (shǐjìnr) with the 儿 suffix (colloquial).
- A separable verb: 使了很大劲 (shǐle hěn dà jìn) put in a lot of effort/force.
- 使劲 = physical exertion/pushing hard; contrast 努力 (nǔlì), sustained effort toward a goal.
- 使劲往前挤 = to shove hard to get through.