Definition
竭力 (jié lì) is a formal adverb meaning 'with all one's effort, sparing no effort' — it emphasizes exhausting one's resources or strength. It is broader than 极力 (jí lì), which targets a specific action or stance (e.g., 极力推荐 'strongly recommend'), and unlike 全力 (quán lì), which can also be a noun ('full strength'). 拼命 (pīn mìng) is more colloquial and suggests desperation.
adverb
to do one's utmostwith all one's effort
Easily confused
- 接力jiē lìsound-aliketo relay; to pass on (a baton, task, etc.)
Examples
- 竭力。Tā jié lì xiǎng bànfǎ wánchéng gōngzuò.He did his utmost to figure out how to finish the work.
- 竭力。Tā jié lì pǎo wán le shí gōnglǐ.She ran ten kilometers with all her effort.
- 竭力。Kēxuéjiāmen jié lì kāifā xīn yào.The scientists did their utmost to develop a new drug.
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