势力

The Chinese word 势力 (shìlì) is composed of two characters: 势 (shì) and 力 (lì). The character 势 originally meant "power" or "strength," and was often used in the context of military or political power. The character 力 originally meant "strength" or "effort," and was often used in the context of physical strength or labor. When combined, the two characters 势力 (shìlì) took on the meaning of "power and influence," or "the ability to exert influence or control over others." In modern Chinese, 势力 (shìlì) is often used in a negative sense, to refer to the use of power or influence for personal gain or to the detriment of others.