力
power · strength · strong · strain · bear up · exert
Details
Description
Strength - a drawing of a flexed arm. Raw power, but also effort, ability and the will to keep going.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Pictograph of arm muscle.
Symbolism
Power, ability, effort. Represents energy and capability.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Showing strength
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
怪力乱神
かいりょくらんしん
supernatural things; unnatural phenomena; spirits and demons
他力本願
たりきほんがん
salvation by faith in Amitabha; relying on others; depending on others
不可抗力
ふかこうりょく
act of God; irresistible force; inevitability
勤倹力行
きんけんりっこう
work hard and practice frugality
苦学力行
くがくりっこう
strenuous pursuit of learning under difficulties
自力更生
じりきこうせい
working out one's salvation by own efforts; rehabilitating oneself by one's own efforts; rectifying one's ways of life without relying on others' help
勢力伯仲
せいりょくはくちゅう
(two sides) being evenly matched in influence or power
精力絶倫
せいりょくぜつりん
being of unbounded energy; being with matchless vigor; having endless sexual stamina
奮励努力
ふんれいどりょく
making strenuous efforts; exerting oneself
力戦奮闘
りきせんふんとう
fighting with all one's might; fighting up against; making strenuous efforts
協心戮力
きょうしんりくりょく
combined (concerted) efforts; solidarity; joining forces (with)
実力伯仲
じつりょくはくちゅう
(the two persons' sides) being evenly matched in ability
全力投球
ぜんりょくとうきゅう
using all of one's strength (to); giving (it) everything one has got; going full-out
努力奮励
どりょくふんれい
making strenuous efforts; exerting oneself
奮闘努力
ふんとうどりょく
try one's best; all-out effort; strenuous efforts
戮力協心
りくりょくきょうしん
combined (concerted) efforts; solidarity; joining forces (with)
Proverbs & Idioms
力は正義なり
ちからはせいぎなり
Might is right
Power determines what is just
Anime & Manga
ワンパンマン
One Punch Man
Gag action of a hero with overwhelming 'power.'
ようこそ実力至上主義の教室へ
Classroom of the Elite
A well-known work with 力 in its Japanese title.
陰の実力者になりたくて！
The Eminence in Shadow
A well-known work with 力 in its Japanese title.
痛いのは嫌なので防御力に極振りしたいと思います。
BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense.
A well-known work with 力 in its Japanese title.
異世界でチート能力を手にした俺は、現実世界をも無双する ～レベルアップは人生を変えた～
I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too
A well-known work with 力 in its Japanese title.
Games
パワプロ
Power Pros(1994)
Developer: Konami
Baseball game enjoying 'powerful' play.
View on Amazon →Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 力 mean in Japanese?
力 means power, strength, strong, strain, bear up, exert. Strength - a drawing of a flexed arm. Raw power, but also effort, ability and the will to keep going.
How do you read 力?
On'yomi: リョク、リキ、リイ (RYOKU, RIKI, RII). Kun'yomi: ちから (chikara).
How many strokes does 力 have?
力 has 2 strokes. Its radical is 力 (power).
Is 力 a good kanji for a tattoo?
力 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means power, strength, strong, strain, bear up, exert. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:power · strength · strong · strain · exert