Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 強力な | kyōryoku na | |
| 強い | tsuyoi | [t͡sɨjo̞i] (narrow) [ko̞β̞a̠i] (narrow) |
Japanese uses different words for "powerful" depending on whether you are describing physical strength, abstract influence or intensity. 強力な is used for abstract or systemic power, such as a powerful drug, a powerful weapon or a powerful influence. In contrast, 強い is a more general term used for physical strength, the intensity of senses like smell or light or emotional strength.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 強力 is composed of two parts: 強, meaning strong and 力, meaning power or force.
Which one should you use?
強力な specifically describes things that are potent or influential. 強い is broader and covers physical strength, sensory intensity and emotional strength.
How does it change in a sentence?
強力な is a na-adjective, which means it requires な when it directly modifies a noun. 強い is an i-adjective, which means it can be conjugated directly, such as using 強かった to mean "was strong".
How do you pronounce it?
kyōryoku na
Did you know?
- The word 強い is likely a linguistic relative of 怖い, meaning 'scary'. Both words probably evolved from a root meaning 'to freeze' or 'to stiffen', describing the feeling of being frozen with fright.
- The character 力 in 強力な is a pictograph originally representing a plow or a flexing muscular arm.
- In Japanese sports and gaming culture, the phrase 強い is often used as a general compliment for any high level of skill, even if no physical strength is involved.
Examples in context
- 彼は腕の力が強い。He has powerful arms.This sentence is useful for describing physical strength using 強い.Tatoeba #98837 by bunbuku, translation #304864 by CK
- あの花はにおいが強いな。That flower has a powerful smell.This sentence is useful for describing the intensity of a sense using 強い.Tatoeba #231152 by small_snow, translation #68521 by CK
- 彼は強い。He is powerful.This sentence is useful for describing a person's power using 強い.Tatoeba #108389 by bunbuku, translation #291630 by CK
- 強力なパンチA powerful punch
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are discussing a new vacuum cleaner.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの掃除機は吸引力が強力なね。Kono sōjiki wa kyūinryoku ga kyōryoku da ne.This vacuum cleaner has powerful suction, doesn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。汚れがすぐに落ちるよ。Hontō da ne. Yogore ga sugu ni ochiru yo.You're right. The dirt comes off immediately.
- 大翔 Hiroto強力なモーターを使っているみたいだ。Kyōryoku na mōtā o tsukatte iru mitai da.It seems to be using a powerful motor.
- 美咲 Misakiいい買い物をしたね、大翔。Ii kaimono o shita ne, Hiroto.You made a good purchase, Hiroto.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “powerful” translations and entries 強い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 強い, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
