Japanese kanji for strength: 力 — how to write and read
The Japanese kanji for strength is 力, just 2 strokes. It is read as "chikara" (kun'yomi ちから), and in compound words as "ryoku" or "riki" (on'yomi リョク、リキ). "Strength in Japanese" as a word is 力 (chikara). The same character is used in Chinese, where it is read as "li".
力 — two brush movements, and it is one of the most frequent components in Japanese words: it appears inside "ability", "effort", "cooperation". The character came from a drawing of a tense hand with a plow: for the Japanese, strength is not about muscles, but about applied effort.
How to write the Japanese kanji for strength
力 — значение: strength, power, ability — онъёми: リョク、リキ、リイ — кунъёми: ちから — 2 штрих(ов). Level N4, 2 strokes. Click "Show order" — the strokes will appear in handwriting order.
Why the character has three readings
The word "strength" itself is ちから (chikara). In compound words, the Chinese readings are used: リョク in 体力 (tairyoku, physical strength) and ドリョク in 努力 (doryoku, effort), RIKI in 力士 (rikishi, sumo wrestler). The rule is simple: a standalone character is "chikara", a character inside a word is "ryoku" or "riki".
Words with the kanji for strength
| Japanese | Reading | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 力 | chikara · chikara | Strength, power |
| 体力 | tairyoku · tairyoku | Physical strength, endurance |
| 努力 | doryoku · doryoku | Effort, diligence |
| 協力 | kyōryoku · kyōryoku | Cooperation, joint effort |
| 強力 | kyōryoku · kyōryoku | Powerful, strong |
| 力士 | rikishi · rikishi | Sumo wrestler |
| 学力 | gakuryoku · gakuryoku | Academic ability, scholastic performance |
How to say "strong"
The adjective "strong" is not 力, but 強い (tsuyoi). 力 is a noun: 力がある (chikara ga aru) "to have strength". So the phrase "he is strong" is 彼は強い (kare wa tsuyoi), and "he has strength" is 彼は力がある.
The kanji for strength for tattoos and nicknames
- 力 — one of the safest characters: it is read unambiguously and means exactly what it means.
- Only two strokes, so any unevenness is noticeable in a tattoo: first a short broken line at the top, then a long line with a hook.
- If you want "strong in spirit" — take 精神力 (seishinryoku) "strength of spirit", not a single character.
- The same character exists in Chinese (reading "li"), so the inscription will be understood there too.
Write 力 yourself
Two strokes — but the order and pressure are immediately visible. Trace along the guides.
FAQ
- Which Japanese kanji means strength?
- 力 — 2 strokes, level N4. As a word it is read "chikara" and means "strength, power, ability". In compound words — "ryoku" or "riki".
- How is the kanji 力 read?
- Kun'yomi — ちから (chikara). On'yomi — リョク (ryoku) and リキ (riki): 体力 tairyoku, 努力 doryoku, 力士 rikishi.
- How do you say "strength" in Japanese?
- 力 (chikara). "Strength of spirit" — 精神力 (seishinryoku), "physical strength" — 体力 (tairyoku), "effort" — 努力 (doryoku).
- And how do you say "strong"?
- 強い (tsuyoi) — the adjective "strong". 力 is a noun, so "strong" is conveyed through the construction 力がある "to have strength".
- Is this a Chinese or Japanese character?
- The character is common: it came from China, written the same in both languages. In Japanese it is read "chikara/ryoku", in Chinese — "li". The meaning is the same.
Updated: 2026-07-25