势

shì

power

influence; potential; momentum; tendency; trend; situation; conditions; outward appearance; sign; gesture; male genitals

grasp (执) + force (力) = power and momentum

力 carries the core idea: power or force that shapes outcomes. 执 mainly contributes the sound shì; together they evoke force held in hand — a situation's momentum or a person's commanding influence.

执+力→势
力StrengthSemantic
执To graspPhonetic

这件事的形势对我们很有利。

zhè jiàn shì de xíng shì duì wǒ men hěn yǒu lì。

The situation of this matter is very favorable for us.

他凭借家族的权势在当地很有影响力。

tā píng jiè jiā zú de quán shì zài dāng dì hěn yǒu yǐng xiǎng lì。

He relies on his family's power and influence to have great sway in the local area.

Words with 势

威势

wēi shì

might

运势

yùn shì

horoscope

恶势力

è shì lì

evil forces

蓄势待发

xù shì dài fā

to wait for action after having accumulated power, energy etc

强势

qiáng shì

strong

弱势群体

ruò shì qún tǐ

disadvantaged social groups (e.g. the handicapped)

趁势

chèn shì

to take advantage of a favorable situation

势不两立

shì bù liǎng lì

the two cannot exist together (idiom); irreconcilable differences

形势

xíng shì

circumstances

大势

dà shì

overall trend

造势

zào shì

to boost support or interest

道高益安,势高益危

dào gāo yì ān , shì gāo yì wēi

More moral strength increases one's safety, more power and influence increases one's danger (idiom, from Records of the Historian 史記|史记). cf Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it (William Pitt the Elder, 1770).

More characters with 执

垫热亵蛰絷挚贽鸷