Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
压力 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
压力yālìpressureHSK 4, n, rank #1152, Medium
yālì(ya1li4) T1
  1. 1pressure
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
压力(壓力)yālì(ya1li4)

压力 (yālì) refers to pressure, often in both a physical and metaphorical sense. It can describe the force exerted on an object or the stress experienced in daily life, such as work or personal challenges. This term is commonly used in contexts related to mental health, work environments, and social expectations.

Frequency#1152DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing 压力 is increasingly common as mental health awareness grows. Many people experience societal pressure to succeed academically or professionally, making this word particularly relevant in conversations about work-life balance.

Memory Tip

Imagine a heavy weight pressing down on a scale, indicating 'pressure' (压力). The character '压' (yā) looks like a person pushing down, while '力' (lì) represents strength or force. Together, they visually and phonetically remind you of the concept of pressure.

Meanings of 压力

yālì(ya1li4)
1pressure
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 压力

压力Simplified
壓力Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1152Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 压力

JasonAmy

Podcast: 压力

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 压力

Quick Contrast

压力 (yālì) vs 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) — use 压力 when referring specifically to pressure or stress, while 紧张 is more about tension or nervousness.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a heavy weight pressing down on a scale, indicating 'pressure' (压力). The character '压' (yā) looks like a person pushing down, while '力' (lì) represents strength or force. Together, they visually and phonetically remind you of the concept of pressure.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 压力 with 影响 (yǐngxiǎng), which means 'influence.' In formal settings, use 压力 to discuss stress in work or academic contexts, while in casual conversations, it can refer to everyday pressures. Remember to pronounce it with the correct tones: ya1 li4.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 压力 is often used alongside vocabulary related to emotions and well-being, such as 心情 (xīnqíng, mood) and 解决 (jiějué, resolve). Focus on using it in sentences that express feelings or situations of stress to enhance comprehension and usage.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing 压力 is increasingly common as mental health awareness grows. Many people experience societal pressure to succeed academically or professionally, making this word particularly relevant in conversations about work-life balance.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 压力 by confusing it with the word for 'influence' (影响). For example, saying '我的压力是很大的影响' instead of '我的压力很大' (My pressure is very great) is incorrect. Remember to use 压力 to specifically refer to pressure or stress.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 压力

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 压力 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

压yāto press
HSK 46 strokes厂
View full entry
力lìpower
HSK 52 strokes力
View full entry

Write 压力

压
力

Practice writing 压力 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 压力

压力 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

日新月异的世界使这家公司感到了____。

A changing world has put pressures on the corporation.

Example Sentences for 压力 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
日新月异的世界使这家公司感到了压力。

rì xīn yuè yì de shì jiè shǐ zhè jiā gōng sī gǎn dào le yā lì。

A changing world has put pressures on the corporation.
2
你忽视了你所承受的压力及它带给你的后果。

nǐ hū shì le nǐ suǒ chéng shòu de yā lì jí tā dài gěi nǐ de hòu guǒ。

You overlook the pressure you're under and what it does to you.
3
你背负了拿到高分的巨大压力。

nǐ bèi fù le ná dào gāo fēn de jù dà yā lì。

There was a lot of pressure on you to obtain good grades.
4
我很少感受到压力，同事们一直对我很好。

wǒ hěn shǎo gǎn shòu dào yā lì， ， tóng shì mén yī zhí duì wǒ hěn。

I'm rarely under pressure and my co-workers are always nice to me.
5
锻炼身体是排解工作压力的好办法。

duàn liàn shēn tǐ shì pái jiě gōng zuò yā lì de hǎo bàn fǎ。

Exercise is a good safety valve for the tension that builds up at work.
6
一般人认为有压力的事情在他看来却是快乐无比的事。

yī bān rén rèn wéi yǒu yā lì de shì qíng zài tā kàn lái què shì kuài lè wú bǐ de shì。

What normal people considered pressure was meat and drink to him.
7
许多人认为承认有压力是意志薄弱的表现。

xǔ duō rén rèn wéi chéng rèn yǒu yā lì shì yì zhì báo ruò de biǎo xiàn。

Many people felt that admitting to stress was a sign of weakness.
8
那就是真正开始有压力的时候。

nà jiù shì zhēn zhèng kāi shǐ yǒu yā lì de shí hòu。

That's when the pressure really started.
9
那家伙会认为他承受了巨大压力。

nà jiā huǒ huì rèn wéi tā chéng shòu le jù dà yā lì。

The guy'll think he's under siege.
10
当然，英国人将会耐心地承受这些日常压力。

dāng rán， ， yīng guó rén jiāng huì nài xīn dì chéng shòu zhè xiē rì cháng yā。

Of course, the British will suffer such daily stresses patiently.

Cultural Notes for 压力

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussing 压力 is increasingly common as mental health awareness grows. Many people experience societal pressure to succeed academically or professionally, making this word particularly relevant in conversations about work-life balance.

Frequently Asked Questions about 压力

Common phrases include '减轻压力' (jiǎnqīng yālì, to reduce pressure) and '面对压力' (miànduì yālì, to face pressure).