One of the best Japanese Kanji dictionary.

Share this page

Kanji for Strength

The kanji most commonly used for "Strength" are 力、強、剛.

Kanji that mean Strength

  • power, to exert, effort

    Onyomi: rii, riki, ryoku Kunyomi: chikara 2 strokes Jōyō

  • strong, powerful

    Also associated with fearsome.

    Onyomi: goh, kyoh Kunyomi: kowa.i, shii.ru, tsuyo.i, tsuyo.meru, tsuyomaru 11 strokes Jōyō

  • sturdy, rigid

    Also associated with hard.

    Onyomi: goh 10 strokes Jōyō

  • healthy, strong

    Also associated with skilled.

    Onyomi: ken Kunyomi: suko.yaka 11 strokes Jōyō

  • fierce, wild, intense

    Onyomi: moh 11 strokes Jōyō

力 is strength itself — physical force, power, the raw capacity to act. It is the simplest and most direct choice, two strokes, and appears in 力士 (sumo wrestler) and 努力 (effort).

強 is strength as a property: being strong, robust, resistant. Where 力 is the force, 強 is the state of having it. 剛 is hardness and unyielding firmness, closer to “steel” than “muscle”, and 健 is strength as soundness and health.

If you mean strength of character rather than of body, 剛 or 毅 read closer to resolve; 力 alone will be understood as physical.

Before you use Strength kanji

力 is unambiguous and reads as physical power. If you mean inner strength or resilience, 力 alone will not carry that — 剛 (unyielding) or a two-character word such as 剛毅 says it more precisely.

Other meanings to explore

See all kanji by meaning →

Share this link via

Or copy link