1Physical strength or force; the muscular or physical power used to move or push things.
彼は力が強くて重い荷物を一人で運べる。
He is strong and can carry heavy luggage by himself.
台風の風の力で木が倒れた。
A tree was knocked down by the force of the typhoon winds.
この扉は押す力を少し強くしないと開かない。
You need to push a little harder to open this door.
2Capability or ability; competence or skill to do something.
彼には問題を解く力がある。
He has the ability to solve problems.
語学の力を伸ばすには毎日の練習が必要だ。
To improve language ability you need daily practice.
経験が判断する力を育てる。
Experience develops the ability to make judgments.
3Efficacy or effect; the effectiveness or power of something to produce a result.
この薬には炎症を抑える力があると言われている。
This medicine is said to have the power to reduce inflammation.
その政策の実際の力は限定的だった。
The actual effectiveness of that policy was limited.
新しい洗剤の汚れ落としの力が高い。
The new detergent has strong stain-removing power.
4Effort or exertion; the work or energy spent to achieve something.
彼は成功のために全ての力を尽くした。
He put all his effort into achieving success.
チームは優勝に向けて力を合わせて練習した。
The team combined their efforts and practiced toward winning.
準備に多くの力を費やした。
A lot of effort was spent on the preparations.
5Power, authority, or influence; sway held by a person or organization. Also includes the sway that a position, money, or connections can exert.
彼は会社内で大きな力を持っている。
He has great power within the company.
政治家の力は政策決定に影響する。
A politician's power influences policy decisions.
親の力で就職するのは恥ずかしいことだと思う。
I think it's embarrassing to get a job through your parents' influence.
6Support or help; assistance given to someone (often used in expressions like '力になる' meaning 'to be of help').
あなたの力がなければこの仕事は終わりませんでした。ご協力ありがとうございました。
Without your help this job would not have been finished. Thank you for your cooperation.
彼女の力になりたいと申し出た。
I offered to be of assistance to her.
皆さんの力添えでイベントは成功した。
With everyone's assistance, the event was a success.
7Stress or emphasis; the act of placing importance on something (as in where emphasis is placed).
発音ではどの音節に力を置くかが大切だ。
In pronunciation, it is important which syllable you emphasize.
先生は安全教育に力を入れている。
The teacher is putting emphasis on safety education.
彼女はその点を特に力説した。
She particularly emphasized that point.
8Means or resources; the capacity, resources, or means available to accomplish something.
国の発展には人的・資金的な力が必要だ。
The country's development requires human and financial resources.
彼らには計画を実行するだけの力がある。
They have enough resources/ability to carry out the plan.
その企業は技術力を武器に市場を拡大した。
The company expanded its market using its technical capabilities as a weapon.