Word
勢力
Meaning in Englishinfluence, power, might, strength
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
What does 勢力 (seiryoku) mean? It refers to the power or influence exercised by a person, group, or organization, and the capacity to shape events or outcomes. In practice it denotes the extent of reach or control a faction or entity has, from political blocs to corporate clout.
Main meanings
- power or strength to influence events or outcomes
- influence, territory, or sphere of influence held by someone
- a political or social faction or bloc within a larger context
How to use it
Used in formal or analytic contexts to refer to the power or influence wielded by a person, group, or organization. Common collocations include 勢力を持つ, 勢力図, 支配勢力, and 脅威の勢力; generally more common in written language than in casual speech.
Variants and close terms
- 権力 (kenryoku) — political power
- 影響力 (eikyōryoku) — influence
- 勢力圏 (seiryokuken) — sphere of influence
- 勢力図 (seiryokuzu) — map of power
Composition
- 勢: momentum, trend, presence; adds the sense of forward drive
- 力: power, strength
- Combined: the overall power, influence, or authority held by a person or group; the network of forces at work
Word class
noun (名詞)
Related words by kanji and components
N1
権力
kenryoku
(political) power, authority, influence
N1
動力
douryoku
power, motive power, dynamic force
N1
威力
iryoku
power, might, authority
N1
形勢
keisei
condition, situation, prospects
N1
圧力
atsuryoku
stress, pressure
N1
情勢
jousei
state of things, condition, situation
N1
戦力
senryoku
war potential
N1
態勢
taisei
attitude, conditions, tendency
N1
体力
tairyoku
physical strength