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What is the Kanji for 'Effective'? | 効

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Effective', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Effective' is 効.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Effective

    Reading

    kunyomi

    ki

    onyomiこう

    kou

    Parts

    Mix Power

    Example Word

    効力: effectiveness. The Japanese noun '効力 (こうりょく)' refers to the effectiveness, efficacy, or power of something to produce a desired result. It is often used in legal, medical, or technical contexts to describe the force or validity of a rule, law, medicine, or method. For example: This medicine has lost its effectiveness「この薬は効力を失った」(このくすりはこうりょくをうしなった). The new law will take effect next month「新しい法律は来月効力を持つ」(あたらしいほうりつはらいげつこうりょくをもつ). Note that '効力' emphasizes the practical impact or result of something, rather than its theoretical potential.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    1259

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mix

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power

Words Using

This kanji is used in 7 words:

    word

    効果

    Meaning

    Effect

    word

    有効

    Meaning

    Effective

    word

    効率

    Meaning

    Efficiency

    word

    効き目

    Meaning

    Effect

    word

    効く

    Meaning

    Work

    word

    効力

    Meaning

    Effectiveness

    word

    無効

    Meaning

    Invalid

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 4 kanji contain the part 交 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    School

    kanji

    Meaning

    Compare, Contrast

    kanji

    Meaning

    Suburbs

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wring, Strangle

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 力 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Man

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exertion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Move

    kanji

    Meaning

    Merit, Achievement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Join, Add

    kanji

    Meaning

    Diligence

    kanji

    Meaning

    Labor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Help

    kanji

    Meaning

    Toil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power, Force

    kanji

    Meaning

    Strive, Encourage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Raise, Recruit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Childhood, Infancy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inferior, Inferiority

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urge, Recommend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Investigate, Censure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Check, Intuition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Imperial order, Imperial decree

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rise, Suddenness

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 効 mean?

効 means 'Effective'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

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