Translation and Meaning of: 力 - chikara

If you are learning Japanese, you may have already come across the word 力[ちから]. This small word carries a powerful meaning and appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to philosophical expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, practical use, and even some curiosities that will help you understand why it is so important in the Japanese language.

In addition to being a common word, 力 is also part of many compound terms and cultural expressions. If you have watched anime or read manga, you have probably seen it used in situations of effort, energy, or even conflict. Let's unravel all of this simply and straightforwardly, so you can use 力 with confidence in your learning.

The meaning and origin of 力

The word 力[ちから] means "strength," "power," or "energy" in Japanese. It can be used in both physical sense, such as muscular strength, and in abstract sense, like willpower. Its kanji, 力, is one of the oldest and most recognizable in the Japanese language, appearing in classical texts and even in names of martial arts.

The kanji 力 has its origins in the pictographic representation of a flexed arm, symbolizing effort or ability. This image directly relates to the concept of physical strength, but over time, its meaning expanded to include ideas such as skill, influence, and determination. Today, it is used in various combinations, such as 努力[どりょく] (effort) and 能力[のうりょく] (skill).

How 力 is used in everyday life

In daily life, Japanese people use 力 in situations ranging from work to sports. Phrases like "力を入れて" (put in effort) are common in training or motivation contexts. Additionally, it appears in popular expressions such as 力になる (to be helpful, literally "to become strength"), demonstrating how the concept is rooted in communication.

Another interesting use is in combinations with other kanjis, forming words that describe different types of strength. For example, 体力 [たいりょく] means "physical strength," while 学力 [がくりょく] refers to "academic ability." These variations show how the word adapts to multiple contexts, always maintaining its essence of energy and potential.

Curiosities and tips for memorizing 力

An effective way to memorize 力 is to associate it with images or situations that involve effort. For example, think of a sumo wrestler using all his 力 to win a match. This type of visualization helps to solidify not only the meaning but also the kanji, which itself already suggests movement and action.

Another curiosity is that 力 appears in many names of martial arts techniques and even in titles of animes and mangas, such as "Dragon Ball" (where the quest for more power is a central theme). If you're a fan of Japanese pop culture, this can be a great way to reinforce learning while having fun.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 筋力 (Kinryoku) - Muscle strength
• 勢力 (Seiryoku) - Power (or influence) in a social or political context
• 力量 (Rikiryō) - Physical capacity or strength in a broader sense
• 能力 (Nōryoku) - Skill or mental ability
• 強さ (Tsuyosa) - Strength, in general terms, can refer to resistance or intensity.

力

Romaji: chikara
Kana: ちから
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: Strength; power; energy; force; emphasis; Efforts; enterprises; efficiency; help; support; capacity; ability; conquest; means; resources; authority; influence; agency; good offices; faculty; stress.

Meaning in English: force;strength;energy;might;power;agency;authority;influence;vigor;stress;emphasis;exertions;endeavors;efficacy;help;support;good offices;ability;faculty;capability;attainment;means;resources

Definition: An action that acts on an object or substance to alter its state.

Example Sentences - (力) chikara

See below some example sentences:

浮力は水中で物体が浮く力です。

Furyoku wa suichuu de buttai ga fuku chikara desu

Buoyancy is the force that makes objects float in water.

Buoyancy is the power of the object floating underwater.

• 浮力 - buoyancy force
• は - Topic particle
• 水中 - in water
• で - Location particle
• 物体 - object
• が - subject particle
• 浮く - to float
• 力 - strength
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

気品あふれる女性は魅力的です。

Kihin afureru josei wa miryokuteki desu

A woman full of elegance is attractive.

The elegant woman is attractive.

• 気品 (kibun) - refinement, elegance
• あふれる (afureru) - overflow, be full of
• 女性 (josei) - woman
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 魅力的 (miryokuteki) - attractive, charming
• です (desu) - polite way of being

標語は人々の心を動かす力を持つ。

Hyōgo wa hitobito no kokoro o ugokasu chikara o motsu

Slogans have the power to move people's hearts.

The slogan has the power to move people's hearts.

• 標語 - means "slogan" in Japanese.
• は - a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, can be translated as "is".
• 人々 - means "people" in Japanese.
• の - a particle that indicates possession, can be translated as "of".
• 心 - means "heart" in Japanese.
• を - the particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, can be translated as "that".
• 動かす - means "to move" in Japanese.
• 力 - means "strength" in Japanese.
• を - the particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, can be translated as "that".
• 持つ - means "to have" in Japanese.
• . - period that indicates the end of the sentence.

教育は人生を変える力を持っています。

Kyouiku wa jinsei wo kaeru chikara wo motteimasu

Education has the power to change people's lives.

Education has the power to change lives.

• 教育 - Education
• は - Topic particle
• 人生 - Life
• を - Direct object particle
• 変える - change/transform
• 力 - power/strength
• を - Direct object particle
• 持っています - To/have

愛は世界を変える力を持っています。

Ai wa sekai wo kaeru chikara wo motte imasu

Love has the power to change the world.

Love has the power to change the world.

• 愛 (ai) - love
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 世界 (sekai) - world
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 変える (kaeru) - change
• 力 (chikara) - power
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - I'm sorry, but it seems like the text you provided is incomplete. Please provide a complete string for translation.
• . (ponto final) - punctuation mark

技術は社会を変える力を持っています。

Gijutsu wa shakai o kaeru chikara o motte imasu

Technology has the power to change society.

Technology has the power to change society.

• 技術 (gijutsu) - technology
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 社会 (shakai) - society
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 変える (kaeru) - change/transform
• 力 (chikara) - power/strength
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 持っています (motteimasu) - have/holding

想像力は無限大です。

Sōzōryoku wa mugendai desu

The imagination is infinite.

The imagination is infinite.

• 想像力 (souzouryoku) - means "imagination" in Japanese
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 無限大 (mugendai) - means "infinite" in Japanese
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing yourself in Japanese

彼女の日本語能力は高い程度だ。

Kanojo no nihongo nouryoku wa takai teido da

Your proficiency in the Japanese language is at a high level.

Your Japanese skill is high.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - She
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• 能力 (nouryoku) - Skill, capacity
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 高い (takai) - High
• 程度 (teido) - Grade, level
• だ (da) - Informal form of the verb ser

座標を入力してください。

Zahyou wo nyuuryoku shite kudasai

Please enter the coordinates.

Please enter the coordinates.

• 座標 (zah-yoh) - coordinates
• を (wo) - object particle
• 入力 (nyuu-ryoku) - entry, insertion
• して (shite) - form of the verb suru (to do)
• ください (kudasai) - please give me

弾力がある肌は美しいです。

Danryoku ga aru hada wa utsukushii desu

Skin with elasticity is beautiful.

The elastic skin is beautiful.

• 弾力がある - elastic, resilient
• 肌 - skin
• 美しい - beautiful
• です - is (polite form of the verb to be)