situation, power

勢 is composed of 埶 (plant) and the radical 力 (strength). 埶 is a pictograph of a person planting vegetation and also means skill or technique. Before planting, one must first observe the surrounding environment and begin only when it is deemed suitable. Therefore, 勢 is used to indicate a situation or condition. In addition, possessing a special skill is equivalent to possessing strength. From this, 勢 also came to mean power or force.