威
intimidate, dignity, majesty, menace, threaten
Readings
On'yomi
- イ
Kun'yomi
- おど.す
- おど.し
- おど.かす
Nanori
- いさ
- たけ
- たけし
Meaning
威 centers on an imposing presence that commands respect or fear: the power to intimidate, menace, or threaten, and the resulting dignity or majesty.
Most common words using 威
20 of 94- 脅威きょうい
threat; menace
- 権威けんいN1
authority; power; influence; prestige
- 威力いりょくN1
power; might; authority; influence
- 威嚇いかくN1
threat; intimidation; menace
- 威い
power; authority; might; influence; dignity; majesty
- 威圧いあつ
coercion; overpowering; overawing; daunting
- 威厳いげん
dignity; majesty; solemnity; gravity
- 威勢いせいN1
power; might; authority; influence
- 神威しんい
god's majesty; god's authority; might of Heaven
- 猛威もうい
fury; power; menace
- 威信いしん
prestige; dignity
- 威光いこう
power; authority; influence
- 威張るいばるN2
to put on airs; to act big; to throw one's weight about; to be overbearing; to be domineering; to be bossy; to be pushy; to be proud; to be haughty; to be arrogant; to swagger; to boast; to brag
- 威風いふう
majesty; dignity
- 示威じい
demonstration; show of force
- 国威こくい
national prestige
- 球威きゅうい
(pitcher's) stuff
- 威容いよう
dignified appearance; majestic appearance; imposing appearance
- 威徳いとく
virtue and influence; virtue and authority
- 中国脅威論ちゅうごくきょういろん
China threat theory
Study
Etymology
威 combines 戌 (a weapon or halberd) with 女 (woman), suggesting authority or power imposed by force. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the combination likely conveyed intimidation or majesty.
Meaning mnemonic
A woman 女 under a halberd 戌 projects an intimidating, majestic presence—like a queen whose dignity alone can menace and threaten.
Reading mnemonic
For イ, imagine an eagle (イーグル) soaring with majestic dignity, intimidating smaller birds below: eagle -> イ.