The Meaning of seiryoku [勢力] In Japanese

勢力
せいりょく
Romaji: seiryoku N3

What does 勢力 mean?

Translation and Meaning

power, influence, force, sphere of influence, faction

Definition

What does 勢力 (seiryoku) mean? It refers to the power or influence exercised by a person, group, or organization, and the capacity to shape events or outcomes. In practice it denotes the extent of reach or control a faction or entity has, from political blocs to corporate clout.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • power or strength to influence events or outcomes
  • influence, territory, or sphere of influence held by someone
  • a political or social faction or bloc within a larger context

Composition

  • 勢: momentum, trend, presence; adds the sense of forward drive
  • 力: power, strength
  • Combined: the overall power, influence, or authority held by a person or group; the network of forces at work

Usage

Used in formal or analytic contexts to refer to the power or influence wielded by a person, group, or organization. Common collocations include 勢力を持つ, 勢力図, 支配勢力, and 脅威の勢力; generally more common in written language than in casual speech.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine momentum (勢い) pushing a group forward; when paired with 力 you get the force behind actions—勢力.

Variations

  • 権力 (kenryoku) — political power
  • 影響力 (eikyōryoku) — influence
  • 勢力圏 (seiryokuken) — sphere of influence
  • 勢力図 (seiryokuzu) — map of power

Example Phrases

  • 職場で 最近 新しい 勢力 が 静かに 台頭してきた。
    Shokuba de saikin atarashii seiryoku ga shizuka ni taitou shite kita.
    A new influence has quietly risen at work.
    Lista:
    • 職場で (shokuba de) – at work
    • 最近 (saikin) – recently
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • 勢力 (seiryoku) – influence
    • 静かに (shizuka ni) – quietly
    • 台頭してきた (taitou shite kita) – has emerged
    「勢力」は影響力を指す名詞で、ここでは主語として台頭してきたことを示す。
勢力