力|ちからchikara[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounforce; strength; might; vigour; vigor; energy
   あなたは私の２倍ばいの力ちからがある。↗

   You are twice as strong as I.
2. nouncapability; ability; proficiency; capacity; faculty
   あなたは集中しゅうちゅうする力ちからを失うしなってしまった。↗

   You've lost the ability to concentrate.
3. nounefficacy; effect
   チョコレートにはＬＤＬの酸化さんかを防止ぼうしする力ちからがある。↗

   Chocolate acts to prevent LDL oxidisation.
4. nouneffort; endeavours; endeavors; exertions
5. nounpower; authority; influence; good offices; agency
   あいての基準きじゅんを受け入うけいれるのは、そのあいての力ちからに服従ふくじゅうすることだ。↗

   Accepting the other's norms is submitting to the other's power.
6. nounsupport; help; aid; assistance
   大たいした力ちからにはならないかもしれませんけど、応援おうえんします。↗

   It might not be worth much, but you have my support.
7. nounstress; emphasis
8. nounmeans; resources

• Synonym力量りきりょうWrittenWritten/formal prose word for a person's level of ability or talent, as in 「力量が試される」. 「力」 is broader, covering physical strength and efficacy too.
• Synonym勢いいきおいNeutralNeutral word for momentum, drive, or the way things are moving, as in 「勢いがある」. 「力」 usually means strength or ability one actually has.
• Synonym強さつよさNeutralNeutral noun for the degree to which something is strong, as in 「風の強さ」. 「力」 denotes strength itself, not its level.
• Synonym威力いりょくNeutralNeutral word for power so strong it awes people, or for outstanding performance, as in 「威力を発揮する」. 「力」 is the plain, neutral everyday term.
• SynonymパワーCasualColloquial loanword for power, output or pep, as in 「パワーアップ」. In formal settings switch to 「力」.
• Synonym権勢けんせいWrittenWritten/formal prose word for the sway held through political power, as in 「権勢を振るう」. 「力」 can also mean influence but is not limited to power.
• Synonym威光いこうWrittenWritten/formal prose word for awe-inspiring prestige, as in 「親の威光」 — leaning on one's standing. 「力」 carries no nuance of prestige.
• Synonym活力かつりょくWrittenWritten/formal prose word for the driving force behind activity, as in 「経済の活力」, common in socioeconomic contexts. 「力」 is more general.
• Synonym権威けんいWrittenWritten/formal prose word for authority that commands obedience, or an authority in a field. 「力」 never refers to a person and stresses no obedience.
• Synonym勢せいWrittenThe same word as 勢い; 「勢」 is simply an alternative written form. It also covers influence and power, where 「力」 is the general term for strength.
• RelatedバイタリティNeutralNeutral loanword for abundant vitality and drive, often praising someone's boundless energy. 「力」 does not specifically mean vitality.
• Related元気げんきNeutralNeutral word for being in good spirits and health, full of energy. 「力」 means strength or ability and says nothing about health.
• Related活気かっきNeutralNeutral word for the liveliness of a place or atmosphere, as in 「活気のある町」. 「力」 never describes an atmosphere.
• Related気力きりょくWrittenWritten/formal prose word for the mental strength to see things through, as in 「気力が尽きる」. 「力」 covers both physical and mental strength.
• Related意気いきWrittenWritten/formal prose word for an aggressive, forward-driving spirit, as in 「意気込む」「意気盛ん」. 「力」 is actual strength, not morale.
• Related気勢きせいWrittenWritten/formal prose word for high morale or drive, for individuals or groups, as in 「気勢を上げる」. 「力」 means actual strength.
• Related精力せいりょくNeutralNeutral word for the physical and mental energy to get things done, and also for sexual vigor, as in 「精力的に働く」. 「力」 is broader, covering ability and efficacy.
• Related生気せいきWrittenWritten/formal prose word for a lively, vital look, as in 「生気を失う」 — often about complexion or expression. 「力」 is strength itself.
• RelatedエネルギーNeutralNeutral loanword for energy and energy sources, also drive, common in physics and energy talk. 「力」 is the everyday general word.
• RelatedアビリティーCasualColloquial loanword for ability, heard mostly in games and business. In daily speech say 「能力」 or 「力」.
• Antonym無力むりょくWrittenWritten/formal prose antonym for lacking ability or being helpless, as in 「無力感」. It opposes 「力」 on the presence or absence of ability.
• Antonym弱さよわさNeutralNeutral antonym for weakness or the degree of being weak, as in 「心の弱さ」. It opposes 「力」 on the strong–weak axis.

For strength or ability in general, use 「力」. Pick 「勢い」 for momentum, 「力量」 for a person's level of ability, 「強さ」 for degree of strength, 「気力」 for willpower, and 「活力」 or 「元気」 for vitality. The main opposite is 「無力」.

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

1. 物ものを動うごかしたり、支ささえたりすることができるエネルギーや強つよさ。
2. 何なんかをする時ときに必要ひつような、技術ぎじゅつや才能さいのうなどの能力のうりょく。
3. 物事ものごとに働はたらきかけて生しょうじる効き目ききめや作用さよう。
4. 目標もくひょうを達成たっせいするために払はらう努力どりょくや工夫くふう。
5. 他ほかの人ひとや物ものに影響えいきょうを与あたえることができる権限けんげんや権力けんりょく。
6. 困こまっている人ひとを手助てだすけすることや、支援しえんすること。
7. 言葉ことばや表現ひょうげんを強調きょうちょうしたり、重要性じゅうようせいを際立きわだたせたりすること。
8. 目的もくてきを果はたすために使つかえる手段しゅだんや、金銭きんせんなどの資源しげん。