How to say "influence" in Japanese

• 影響えいきょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe general word for influence as an effect something has on a person, thing, or situation; when you mean 'influence' or 'impact' in this neutral sense, this is the word.
  多おおくのテレビ番組ばんぐみが子供こどもたちに悪わるい影響えいきょうを与あたえている。↗

  Many TV programs have a bad influence on children.
• 権力けんりょくJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveInfluence in the sense of power or authority to control others, especially political power; choose this when 'influence' means clout or command over people, not a mere effect.
  王おうは権力けんりょくを奪うばわれた。↗

  The king was shorn of his power.
• 勢力せいりょくJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounInfluence as the strength or might a group or faction holds — its sway or reach; it is about the power a side commands, not one person's effect on another.
  地球ちきゅう側がわの圧政あっせいに苦くるしむコロニーの人々ひとびとの中なかで、テロによる現状げんじょう打破だはを目論もくろむ勢力せいりょくが誕生たんじょう。↗

  Among the people of the colonies suffering under Earth's tyranny a force emerges intending to overthrow the status quo through terrorism.
• 権威けんいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounInfluence that comes from authority or prestige — the weight someone's word carries because of their standing; it points to respected authority rather than raw power or effect.
  学生がくせいたちは権威けんいに反抗はんこうした。↗

  The students revolted against authority.
• 波及はきゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbInfluence viewed as something that spreads outward like ripples, with aftereffects; it names the spreading itself, so it is narrower than 影響 and not the all-purpose choice for 'influence'.

Use 影響 for influence as an effect on someone or something; 権力, 勢力, and 権威 for influence as power, clout, or authority; and 波及 for influence that spreads outward with aftereffects.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 影響えいきょうinfluence
• 権力けんりょく(political) power
• 勢力せいりょくinfluence
• 権威けんいauthority
• 波及はきゅうspread
• 感化かんかinfluence (on someone)
• 羽振りはぶりinfluence
• 影響力えいきょうりょくinfluence
• 威光いこうpower
• 権勢けんせいpower
• インパクトimpact (on)
• 威力いりょくpower
• 威勢いせいpower
• 斡旋あっせんgood offices
• 引きひきpull
• インフルエンスinfluence
• 外勢がいせいinfluence (of stones)
• 差し響くさしひびくto influence
• 影響を及ぼすえいきょうをおよぼすto affect
• 手蔓てづるconnections
• 勢威せいいforce
• 睨みをきかせるにらみをきかせるto exercise one's authority (over)
• 睨みをきかすにらみをきかすto exercise one's authority (over)
• 威いpower
• 関係かんけいinfluence
• 勢いいきおいinfluence
• 左右さゆう(asserting) control
• 支配しはいcontrol (of one's destiny, public opinion, etc.)
• 化するかするto influence
• 趣おもむきeffect
• 手引きてびきintroduction
• かぶれinfluence
• 化すかすto influence
• つてconnections
• 動かすうごかすto inspire
• 反響はんきょうresponse
• おかげeffects
• 煽りあおりinfluence
• つるconnections
• 醇化じゅんかgentle persuasion
• 顔かおinfluence
• 光ひかりinfluence
• 力ちからpower
• 引きずるひきずるto influence