Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

How to say 'Power' or 'Motive force' in Japanese | 動力

Wondering how to say 'Power' or 'Motive force' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Power or Motive force is 'Douryoku', written as 動力 in Japanese.'Power' or 'Motive force' in hiragana is どうりょく.

    word

    動力

    Meaning

    Power, Motive force

    Reading

    どうりょく

    douryoku

    Kanji

    動Move 力Power

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '動力 (どうりょく)' refers to 'power' or 'motive force', typically in the context of mechanical or physical energy that drives movement or operation. It is often used in technical or industrial contexts to describe the energy source that makes machinery or vehicles function. For example: The car's power comes from its engine「車の動力はエンジンから来る」(くるまのどうりょくはエンジンからくる). This machine uses electric power「この機械は電気動力を使う」(このきかいはでんきどうりょくをつかう). Note that while 'power' is the most common translation, 'motive force' is used in more specific contexts to emphasize the driving energy behind movement.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N4

    Kanji Grade

    3

    Frequency

    5940

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 動力

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    動

    Meaning

    Move

  • kanji

    力

    Meaning

    Power

Words Related to 動力 Through the Kanji 動

These 27 Words contain the Kanji 動 as well.

  • word

    動く

    Meaning

    Move

  • word

    自動

    Meaning

    Automatic

  • word

    動き

    Meaning

    Movement

  • word

    動物

    Meaning

    Animal

  • word

    運動

    Meaning

    Exercise

  • word

    活動

    Meaning

    Activity

  • word

    不動産屋

    Meaning

    Real estate agent

  • word

    自動車

    Meaning

    Car

  • word

    動物園

    Meaning

    Zoo

  • word

    動かす

    Meaning

    Move

  • word

    動産

    Meaning

    Movables

  • word

    移動

    Meaning

    Movement, Relocation

  • word

    行動

    Meaning

    Action

  • word

    運動会

    Meaning

    Sports day

  • word

    運動場

    Meaning

    Playground

  • word

    動作

    Meaning

    Movement, Operation

  • word

    動機

    Meaning

    Motive

  • word

    変動

    Meaning

    Change, Fluctuation

  • word

    感動

    Meaning

    Emotion, Impression

  • word

    振動

    Meaning

    Vibration

  • word

    動詞

    Meaning

    Verb

  • word

    起動

    Meaning

    Startup

  • word

    動向

    Meaning

    Trend

  • word

    動員

    Meaning

    Mobilization

  • word

    動揺

    Meaning

    Disturbance, Agitation

  • word

    流動

    Meaning

    Flow, Fluidity

  • word

    騒動

    Meaning

    Disturbance

Words Related to 動力 Through the Kanji 力

These 27 Words contain the Kanji 力 as well.

  • word

    力

    Meaning

    Strength

  • word

    協力

    Meaning

    Cooperation

  • word

    能力

    Meaning

    Ability

  • word

    権力

    Meaning

    Power, Authority

  • word

    努力

    Meaning

    Effort

  • word

    魅力

    Meaning

    Charm

  • word

    出力

    Meaning

    Output

  • word

    火力

    Meaning

    Firepower

  • word

    水力

    Meaning

    Waterpower

  • word

    気力

    Meaning

    Energy, Willpower

  • word

    暴力

    Meaning

    Violence

  • word

    勢力

    Meaning

    Power, Influence

  • word

    全速力

    Meaning

    Full speed

  • word

    原子力

    Meaning

    Nuclear

  • word

    有力

    Meaning

    Influential

  • word

    強力

    Meaning

    Strong, Powerful

  • word

    体力

    Meaning

    Stamina

  • word

    実力

    Meaning

    Ability

  • word

    圧力

    Meaning

    Pressure

  • word

    入力

    Meaning

    Input

  • word

    全力

    Meaning

    Full power

  • word

    効力

    Meaning

    Effectiveness

  • word

    力強い

    Meaning

    Powerful, Reassuring

  • word

    学力

    Meaning

    Academic

  • word

    武力

    Meaning

    Military, Force

  • word

    電力

    Meaning

    Power, Electricity

  • word

    労力

    Meaning

    Labor, Effort

Learn the Word 動力

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Douryoku' (動力) mean?

'Douryoku' means 'Power' or 'Motive force' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.