力所能及lì suǒ néng jías far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's ability

1. 1.

   as far as one's capabilities extend (idiom); to the best of one's abilityidiom

2. 2.

   within one's powersidiom

Figurative meaning

As far as one's capabilities extend; to the best of one's ability; within one's powers.

• 力ability
• 所that which
• 能to be able to
• 及to reach

No attested origin story

力所能及 can appear in phrases like 力所能及的事 or 在力所能及的范围内, in both formal and everyday speech.

1. HSK 4

   孩子可以做一些力所能及的家务。

   Háizi kěyǐ zuò yìxiē lì suǒ néng jí de jiāwù.

   Children can do some housework that is within their abilities.

2. HSK 5

   我们会在力所能及的范围内帮助你。

   Wǒmen huì zài lì suǒ néng jí de fànwéi nèi bāngzhù nǐ.

   We will help you as far as we are able.

3. HSK 3

   爷爷年纪大了，只做力所能及的工作。

   Yéye niánjì dà le, zhǐ zuò lì suǒ néng jí de gōngzuò.

   Grandpa is getting old, so he only does work within his powers.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   你周末去做志愿者吗？

   Nǐ zhōumò qù zuò zhìyuànzhě ma?

   Are you volunteering this weekend?

2. 
   Speaker B:

   是的，我想帮老人做点事。

   Shìde, wǒ xiǎng bāng lǎorén zuò diǎn shì.

   Yes, I want to do something for the elderly.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   你会做饭吗？

   Nǐ huì zuòfàn ma?

   Can you cook?

4. 
   Speaker B:

   不太会，我只做力所能及的事，比如打扫。

   Bú tài huì, wǒ zhǐ zuò lì suǒ néng jí de shì, bǐrú dǎsǎo.

   Not really, I only do what I'm able to, like cleaning.

1. 1.What does 力所能及 mean?

   AWithin one's powers; to the best of one's abilityBFar beyond what anyone can doCVery tired after hard work
2. 2.Which sentence uses 力所能及 correctly?

   A我会做一些力所能及的事。B今天的天气很力所能及。C他力所能及地睡着了。
3. 3.Which word fits best? 我们会在____的范围内帮助大家。 (We will help everyone as far as we are able.)

   A力所能及B一见钟情C如火如荼

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Related idioms

• 不知所措bù zhī suǒ cuònot knowing what to doHSK 7–9
• 全力以赴quán lì yǐ fùto make an all-out effortHSK 7–9
• 前所未有qián suǒ wèi yǒu(idiom) unprecedentedHSK 7–9
• 迫不及待pò bù jí dài(idiom) unable to hold oneself back; eager to do sth without delayHSK 7–9
• 齐心协力qí xīn xié lìto work with a common purpose (idiom); to make concerted effortsHSK 7–9
• 众所周知zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī(idiom) as everyone knowsHSK 6

Browse every entry in the Chinese idioms dictionary.