有力|ゆうりょくyuuryoku[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. na-adjective, nouninfluential; prominent; leading
    Coke has always been the top dog when it comes to soft drinks.
  2. na-adjective, nounstrong; powerful; likely; plausible; promising; convincing; substantial
Conjugation
Plain form有力(ゆうりょく)
Polite (desu)有力です(ゆうりょくです)
Negative (dewa nai)有力ではない(ゆうりょくではない)
polite (dewa arimasen)有力ではありません(ゆうりょくではありません)
Past (datta)有力だった(ゆうりょくだった)
Past negative (dewa nakatta)有力ではなかった(ゆうりょくではなかった)
Te form (de)有力で(ゆうりょくで)
Adverbial (ni)有力に(ゆうりょくに)
Conditional (nara)有力なら(ゆうりょくなら)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym強力きょうりょくNeutralDescribes sheer strength or potency, e.g. 「強力な接着剤」「強力な支援」; 「有力」 stresses influence, persuasiveness, or likelihood.
  • Synonym主だったおもだったNeutralMeans chief or principal, as in 「主だったメンバー」; stresses central importance, not influence or likelihood.
  • Related支配的しはいてきWrittenWritten word for dominant or ruling, e.g. 「支配的な意見」; stresses overwhelming predominance, not influence or likelihood.
  • Related強いつよいNeutralThe everyday, broadest word for strong; 「有力」 is more formal and centers on influence or likelihood.
  • Related力強いちからづよいNeutralDescribes vigor and forcefulness, as in 「力強い言葉」; stresses energy and momentum rather than influence or likelihood.
  • Related屈強くっきょうWrittenWritten word for physical robustness, as in 「屈強な男」, also sturdy teams; 「有力」 is about influence, not physique.
  • RelatedパワフルNeutralLoanword meaning full of power and energy; common in colloquial speech, while 「有力」 covers influence and likelihood.
  • Related有効ゆうこうNeutralMeans valid or effective, as in 「有効期限」; stresses being in force or having effect, not influence or likelihood.
  • Related効果的こうかてきNeutralMeans effective or producing results, as in 「効果的な方法」; stresses good outcomes rather than influence or likelihood.
  • Related有望ゆうぼうNeutralMeans promising for the future, as in 「有望な新人」; covers future prospects only, while 「有力」 also covers influence and evidence.
  • Related強大きょうだいWrittenWritten word for mighty nations or forces, as in 「強大な国家」; stresses vast scale and power, not likelihood.
  • Related精強せいきょうWrittenWritten term for elite military or team strength, as in 「精強な部隊」; not used for influence or likelihood.
  • RelatedエフェクティブNeutralLoanword for effective, used mainly in business contexts and rare in everyday speech.
  • Antonym無力むりょくNeutralAntonym: powerlessness or helplessness, being unable to act; the direct opposite of 「有力」.
  • Antonym弱小じゃくしょうWrittenWritten antonym for weak and small in power or scale, as in 「弱小国」; the opposite of 「有力」.

Use 「有力」 for influence, persuasiveness, or strong likelihood, as in 「有力な候補」「有力な証拠」. For sheer strength use 「強力」, for effectiveness 「効果的」, for promising futures 「有望」, for mighty nations or forces 「強大」, and for powerlessness 「無力」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 権力けんりょく・勢力せいりょくのあること。
  2. 可能性かのうせいの強つよいこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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