勵

A phono-semantic compound:

力 (strength, effort) — supplies the semantic field of effort, exertion, strength

厲 (phonetic element, 려 / lì) — provides the sound and also conveys a nuance of severity, rigor, sharpness

The combined meaning is “to apply strength with rigor”, hence to strive, to spur oneself or others on.

격려 (激勵) — encouragement; exhortation

장려 (奬勵) — promotion; encouragement

노력하다 (努力하다) — to make an effort (semantic overlap)

자기계발을 독려하다 (督勵하다) — to spur someone on toward self-improvement

勵 is formal and literary. Often associated with:

- education

- governance

- moral cultivation

- institutional encouragement

It implies purposeful effort guided by values, not brute force.

Semantically related characters:

勉 — to make an effort; to strive

奮 — to rouse; to exert oneself energetically

激 — to stimulate; to incite

督 — to supervise; to urge

勸 — to persuade; to exhort

Phonetic / structural relatives:

厲 — severe; strict

力 — strength; effort

Classical citations:

From the Book of Rites (禮記), expressing moral self-exertion:

「勵志以成其德。」

“Strengthen one’s resolve in order to complete one’s virtue.”

Here, 勵 emphasizes intentional moral effort, a key Confucian value.

From traditional historiography:

「勵精圖治」

“To exert oneself diligently in governing.”

This idiom was frequently used to praise rulers who governed with discipline and seriousness.

In Buddhist exhortative language:

「勵行精進」

“Encourage the practice of diligent cultivation.”

In this context, 勵 highlights conscious perseverance on the path.