力 – Meaning, Reading & Usage

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力

力 represents power, strength, and physical force. Its shape depicts a flexed arm muscle, conveying the idea of muscular effort and capability.

Reading

On’yomi:

リョク (RYOKU)、

リキ (RIKI)

Kun’yomi:

ちから (chikara)

Basic Information

Kanji 力
Meaning power, strength, force
Stroke Count 2
JLPT Level N5

How to Understand This Kanji

力 can refer to physical strength, personal ability, or influential power. It emphasizes effort and capability rather than mere size, and appears in words spanning physical, mental, and social strength.

Common Words

  • 力
    （ちから）
    — strength, power, force

  • 努力
    （どりょく）
    — effort, endeavor

  • 体力
    （たいりょく）
    — physical strength, stamina

  • 電力
    （でんりょく）
    — electric power

  • 全力
    （ぜんりょく）
    — full strength, all one’s effort

  • 力士
    （りきし）
    — sumo wrestler

Example Sentences

  • 彼は力が強いです。

    かれはちからがつよいです。

    He is very strong.

  • もっと努力してください。

    もっとどりょくしてください。

    Please try harder.

  • 全力でやります。

    ぜんりょくでやります。

    I will give it my all.

Related Kanji

  • 強

    — Both relate to strength; 強い (strong) is a natural companion word

  • 体

    — 体力 (physical strength) pairs 体 and 力 directly

  • 勉

    — 努力 and 勉強 both describe putting in effort — learn them together

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

You will encounter 力 often in words about strength, ability, and effort. It appears across N5–N3 vocabulary in compound words. The on’yomi リョク is the most common reading in compounds; リキ appears in sumo-related words.

Summary

力 means power or strength and is one of the most essential kanji for beginners, appearing in everyday words about ability and effort.

Kanji 力
Meaning power, strength, force
On’yomi リョク、リキ (RYOKU, RIKI)
Kun’yomi ちから (chikara)
Strokes 2
JLPT N5