Meaning

Primary

Power

Alternatives

Strength, Ability

Word Type

noun

Explanation

When a vocab word is made up of a single kanji and that's it, it almost always takes the meaning from its parent kanji. So, this vocab word also means power.

Reading

ちから
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

When a vocab word is a single kanji all alone with no okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji), it usually uses the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn the kun'yomi reading with the kanji, so for this vocab word, we'll use a mnemonic.

The most powerful man in the world. All his power came from his cheek (ちから). Imagine him blowing up his cheek like a giant balloon, then unleashing his power on you. Thwap thwap thwap thwap.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 力がつく

    to gain strength

    力が入る

    to be filled with strength

    力がある

    to be strong

Context Sentences

力の大きさが、ちがう。

The size of the forces is different.

うちではママが大きな力をもってるんですよ。

At my house, my mom has a lot of power.

リラックスしたいのに、どうしても力が入ってしまう。

I want to relax, but I somehow get tense.

Kanji Composition