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N4

Kanji 力: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 力: power, strength, strong, strain, bear up, exert

Key takeaways

Kanji 力: power, strength, strong, strain, bear up, exert. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N4

Meaning

powerstrengthstrongstrainbear upexert

On reading

リョクリキリイ

Kun reading

ちから

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 力

power, strength, strong, strain, bear up, exert

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This character is a pictograph of a plow or the bulging muscle of an arm. It represents the 'power' or 'strength' required for tasks like lifting heavy objects or tilling a field.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

リョク
  • 圧力あつりょく

    pressure / stress

  • 威力いりょく

    power / strength / influence

  • 権力けんりょく

    power / authority / influence

  • 勢力せいりょく

    influence / power / strength

  • 戦力せんりょく

    combat power / fighting strength

  • 体力たいりょく

    physical strength / stamina

  • 弾力だんりょく

    elasticity / flexibility

  • 動力どうりょく

    power / motive force

Kun reading

ちから
  • 力強いちからづよい

    strong / reassuring / confident

  • ちから

    strength / power / ability

Commonly used words

  • 圧力
    あつりょく

    pressure / stress

  • 威力
    いりょく

    power / strength / influence

  • 権力
    けんりょく

    power / authority / influence

  • 勢力
    せいりょく

    influence / power / strength

  • 戦力
    せんりょく

    combat power / fighting strength

  • 体力
    たいりょく

    physical strength / stamina

  • 力強い
    ちからづよい

    strong / reassuring / confident

  • ちから

    strength / power / ability

Example sentences

Example 1

この機械は高い圧で動きます。

Translation

This machine operates under high pressure.

Example 2

仕事の圧で疲れています。

Translation

I’m tired from work stress.

Example 3

この薬は強い威があります。

Translation

This medicine has strong power.

Example 4

彼の言葉には大きな威がある。

Translation

His words have great influence.

Kanji 力: power, strength, strong, strain, bear up, exert | Daily Nihongo