力所不及

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: lì suǒ bù jí
• English Translation: Beyond one's power (out of one's reach)
• Idiom Composition: 「力」（Power, strength, or ability.）＋「所」（A particle used before a verb to form a noun phrase, meaning 'that which' or 'the thing that'.）＋「不」（Not; a negation.）＋「及」（To reach, attain, or come up to.）
• Meaning: To be beyond the scope of one's ability, power, or authority. It is used to describe a situation where a goal or standard cannot be reached due to objective limitations.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「力所不及」 contains the following nuances:

• Objective Limitation: The focus is on the objective fact of impossibility rather than the subjective regret of 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.' It describes a hard boundary of capability.
• Outside of Scope: It implies not just a lack of physical strength, but that the matter falls outside one's jurisdiction, authority, or reach.

3. Usage

「力所不及」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Declining or Refusing: Used as a formal or polite way to decline a task or request by stating it exceeds one's current abilities.
  • Example:「这件事情太复杂，实在是我力所不及，恐怕帮不上忙。」
    （This matter is too complex; it is truly beyond my power, and I'm afraid I cannot help.）
• Objective Assessment: Used to objectively evaluate that a challenge or goal is impossible for a specific person or organization to achieve.
  • Example:「虽然医生尽了最大努力，但挽救他的生命已是人力所不及。」
    （Although the doctors did their best, saving his life was already beyond human reach.）
• Economic or Physical Limits: Used when financial resources or physical conditions are insufficient to obtain or achieve something.
  • Example:「那栋别墅价格昂贵，对我来说是力所不及的奢侈品。」
    （That villa is expensive; for me, it is a luxury beyond my means.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对大自然的威力，人类常常感到力所不及。
   （Facing the power of nature, humanity often feels powerless.）
2. 有些问题是科学目前力所不及的。
   （Some problems are beyond the reach of current science.）
3. 我也想资助所有的贫困儿童，但这显然是我力所不及的。
   （I want to support all poor children, but that is clearly beyond my capability.）
4. 对于超出自己职责范围的事，他往往力所不及。
   （Regarding matters outside his scope of responsibility, he is often unable to intervene.）
5. 这并非我不愿意做，而是力所不及。
   （It's not that I'm unwilling to do it, but rather that it's beyond my power.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The phrase can be traced back to historical texts such as the Shimen Wenzizhan (石门文字禅) from the Song Dynasty (宋朝), which discusses matters that are 'beyond public power' (公力所不及之义).
• In terms of nuance, while the similar idiom 力不从心 (lì bù cóng xīn) emphasizes the subjective feeling of 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,' 力所不及 (lì suǒ bù jí) is a more neutral, factual statement regarding one's limitations.
• It is used in both formal writing and daily conversation. It can serve as a humble way to admit one's limits or a realistic assessment of a situation's difficulty.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无能为力 (wú néng wéi lì): Powerless to help; having no way to solve a problem despite wanting to.link
  • 力不从心 (lì bù cóng xīn): The spirit is willing, but the strength is lacking; unable to do as much as one would like.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 力所能及 (lì suǒ néng jí): Within one's power; something one is capable of achieving.link
  • 得心应手 (dé xīn yìng shǒu): To do something with high proficiency; to have the mind and hand work in perfect harmony.
  • 轻而易举 (qīng ér yì jǔ): Something that is easy to do and requires little effort.link

6. Summary

力所不及 (lì suǒ bù jí) is an idiom used to express that something exceeds one's capabilities or authority. While the similar phrase 力不从心 (lì bù cóng xīn) emphasizes the internal frustration of wanting to do something but lacking the strength, 力所不及 (lì suǒ bù jí) is more objective. It is frequently used to state a fact or as a polite way to decline a request by acknowledging one's professional or personal limits.