lì
Force; strength
Subj. + 竭力 (jiélì) / 拼命 (pīnmìng) + Verb (maximum effort)
Subj. + 强行 (qiángxíng) / 大肆 (dàsì) + Verb (imposition / large scale)
Pattern diagram
Rule structure
竭力 (jié lì) and 拼命 (pīn mìng) are close in meaning "to exert maximum effort", but 拼命 (pīn mìng) is more colloquial and often implies risking oneself. 强行 (qiáng háng) indicates acting against resistance, while 大肆 (dà sì) indicates a broad, usually disapproved-of scale.
Rule structure
竭力 (jié lì) and 拼命 (pīn mìng) are close in meaning "to exert maximum effort", but 拼命 (pīn mìng) is more colloquial and often implies risking oneself. 强行 (qiáng háng) indicates acting against resistance, while 大肆 (dà sì) indicates a broad, usually disapproved-of scale.
Examples
他拼命工作,终于完成了任务。
Tā pīnmìng gōngzuò, zhōngyú wánchéng le rènwu.
He worked desperately hard and finally finished the task.
Examples
他拼命工作,终于完成了任务。
Tā pīnmìng gōngzuò, zhōngyú wánchéng le rènwu.
He worked desperately hard and finally finished the task.
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
lì
Force; strength
pīn mìng
To risk one's life; to try one's utmost
qiáng xíng
Forcibly, by force
dà sì
Wantonly, recklessly, unrestrainedly
tā
He
gōngzuò
To work; work, job
zhōngyú
Finally
wánchéng
To complete
le
Particle (completed action or change of state)
rènwu
Task, mission
jiěshì
To explain, to interpret
dàjiā
Everyone, everybody
Use the structure: Subj. + 竭力 (jiélì) / 拼命 (pīnmìng) + Verb (maximum effort) Subj. + 强行 (qiángxíng) / 大肆 (dàsì) + Verb (imposition / large scale). For example: 他拼命工作,终于完成了任务。 — “He worked desperately hard and finally finished the task”.
他拼命工作,终于完成了任务。 — “He worked desperately hard and finally finished the task”.
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
Tomyo
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
向来 — always previously
Subj. + 向来 (xiànglái) + Verb / Adj.
偏 — contrary to expectations
Subj. + 偏偏 (piānpiān) + Verb (undesirable coincidence)
无非 — nothing but
无非 (wúfēi) + Noun / Clause (dismissive)
何必 — why bother
何必 (hébì) + Verb Phrase (rhetorical, unnecessary)
按理 — logically speaking
按理 (ànlǐ) / 按说 (ànshuō) + Clause (conclusion that clashes with the fact)
不妨 vs 务必 — advice vs requirement
不妨 (bùfáng) + Verb Phrase (soft suggestion) / 务必 (wùbì) + Verb Phrase (insistent requirement)
照常 — as usual
Subj. + 照常 (zhàocháng) / 照例 (zhàolì) / 照样 (zhàoyàng) + Verb
碰巧 / 恰巧 — coincidence
Subj. + 碰巧 (pèngqiǎo) / 恰巧 (qiàqiǎo) + Verb Phrase
Got the rule? Test yourself
Two exercises, under a minute.