Kanji meanings › Power
Kanji for Power
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “power”: 力、権. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
strength
Physical and inner power; the character began as a drawing of a strong arm at work.
Rikishi (力士), literally "men of strength," are professional sumo wrestlers who uphold centuries of sacred Shinto traditions.
2 strokes On reading リョク、リキ、リイ (ryoku, riki, rii) Kun reading ちから (chikara) JLPT N3
Dictionary meanings: power, strength, strong, strain, bear up
Readings used for names on Nazuke: tsutomu, riki
In Japan it appears in about 79 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, in both boys’ and girls’ names.
authority
Power, rights and authority; the strength to decide.
15 strokes On reading ケン、ゴン (ken, gon) Kun reading おもり、かり、はかる (omori, kari, hakaru) JLPT N2
Dictionary meanings: authority, power, rights
Readings used for names on Nazuke: ken, gon
In Japan it appears in about 67 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in boys’ names.
Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
Put it in your name
Nazuke writes your first name in kanji, choosing characters for both sound and meaning.