勢

─── Etymology ───

Phono-semantic compound:

力 (력, “strength”) – gives the meaning (relating to strength, power);

埶 (예, “skill, ability”) – provides the sound.

Deeper etymological link:

Some research suggests 勢 shares its root meaning with 設 (설, “to set up, to establish”).

設 (ŋ̊et) is a verb meaning “to set up” or “to arrange.”

勢 (ŋ̊ets) would then be the noun form, meaning “that which has been set up” → “power, momentum.”

This interpretation is supported by a line in Han Feizi (한비자, 난세篇):

吾所爲言勢者 言人之所設也

(“What I mean by 勢 is what people have established.”)

Beyond the surface meaning, historical evidence shows it was once conceptually linked to 設 (to set up), implying that 勢 is “power or authority that has been established,” giving rise to its broad use for authority, momentum, and influence in classical and modern contexts.

Phono-semantic compound:

力 (력, “strength”) – gives the meaning (relating to strength, power);

埶 (예, “skill, ability”) – provides the sound.

Deeper etymological link:

Some research suggests 勢 shares its root meaning with 設 (설, “to set up, to establish”).

設 (ŋ̊et) is a verb meaning “to set up” or “to arrange.”

勢 (ŋ̊ets) would then be the noun form, meaning “that which has been set up” → “power, momentum.”

This interpretation is supported by a line in Han Feizi (한비자, 난세篇):

吾所爲言勢者 言人之所設也

(“What I mean by 勢 is what people have established.”)

Beyond the surface meaning, historical evidence shows it was once conceptually linked to 設 (to set up), implying that 勢 is “power or authority that has been established,” giving rise to its broad use for authority, momentum, and influence in classical and modern contexts.

Appears in compounds like 形勢 (형세, “situation”), 氣勢 (기세, “vigor, force”), 權勢 (권세, “power, authority”), 勢力 (세력, “influence, power”).