Japanese Symbol for

chikara

strength · power · ability

Readings

  • ONリョクryoku
  • ONリキriki
  • KUNちからchikara

Meaning

Strength, power, force, ability, capacity. 力 is one of the most fundamental kanji in the language — it refers to physical strength, mental power, and capability in all forms.

体力

tairyoku

physical strength, stamina

努力

doryoku

effort, hard work

力士

rikishi

sumo wrestler

全力

zenryoku

full strength, all one's power

力 is one of the oldest and simplest kanji — the character is said to depict a flexed arm or a plow blade, representing physical exertion. It appears in hundreds of compounds and is one of the first kanji taught to Japanese schoolchildren.

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