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Kotomora

勢

forces, energy, military strength

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 500Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • セイ
  • ゼイ

Kun'yomi

  • いきお.い
  • はずみ

Nanori

  • せ

Meaning

勢 centers on dynamic power and momentum: the force or energy that drives action, whether physical, social, or military. It captures the idea of a surge or impetus that pushes things forward.

Most common words using 勢

22 of 203
  • 姿勢しせい
    N3

    posture; pose; position; stance; carriage (of the body)

  • 勢いいきおい
    N3

    force; vigor; vigour; energy; spirit; life

  • 勢ぜい

    group (of people, competitors, companies, etc.); contingent; camp; team

  • 勢力せいりょく
    N1

    influence; power; might; strength; potency; force; energy

  • 大勢おおぜい
    N5

    crowd of people; great number of people

  • 大勢たいせい
    N1

    general situation; general trend; general tendency; way things are moving; current (of the times); tide (e.g. of public opinion)

  • 情勢じょうせい
    N1

    state of things; state of affairs; situation; conditions; circumstances

  • 態勢たいせい
    N1

    attitude; posture; preparedness; readiness

  • 優勢ゆうせい
    N1

    superiority; superior power; predominance; preponderance

  • 体勢たいせい

    posture; position; stance

  • 攻勢こうせい

    offensive (movement); aggression

  • 総勢そうぜい

    all members; whole army

  • 劣勢れっせい

    inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation; unfavourable situation

  • 威勢いせい
    N1

    power; might; authority; influence

  • 勢ぞろいせいぞろい

    assembling (in full force); muster; lining up; gathering; getting together

  • 形勢けいせい
    N1

    condition; situation; prospects

  • 国勢調査こくせいちょうさ

    (national) census

  • 党勢とうせい

    strength of a party

  • 実勢じっせい

    actual; real; true

  • 気勢きせい

    fervour; fervor; vigour; vigor; ardour; ardor; spirit

  • 国勢こくせい

    state of a country (population, resources, etc.); condition of a country; strength of a country

  • 守勢しゅせい

    (being on the) defensive

Explore all words using 勢 →

Study

Etymology

勢 combines 埶 (a phonetic component associated with planting or setting) with 力 (strength), suggesting the force or momentum needed to establish something. The exact historical development of 埶 is uncertain, but the combination conveys power and impetus.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part 埶 looks like a mound of earth being shaped, and the bottom 力 is strength. Picture a powerful surge of energy pushing the earth into place—that force and momentum is 勢.

Reading mnemonic

For セイ, imagine a great wave of energy surging forward as you say 'say!'—like commanding the force to speak its power: say -> セイ.