Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

優勢 (ゆうせい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

優ゆう勢せい

ゆ

う

せ

い

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun, na-adjective

superiority; advantage; dominance

Describes a state of being ahead or stronger in competition, conflict, or comparison. Often used in sports, politics, and business contexts. Antonym: 劣勢 (inferiority).

Antonyms: 劣勢

試し合あいは終しゅう始し、我わがチームが優ゆう勢せいだった。

Our team was dominant throughout the match.

世よ論ろん調ちょう査さでは、与よ党とうが優ゆう勢せいを保たもっている。

The ruling party maintains an advantage in opinion polls.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉が優ゆう勢せいだto be in the dominant/leading position
後こう半はんになって、こちらのチームが優ゆう勢せいだ。
Since the second half started, our team has been dominant.
〈事こと〉を優ゆう勢せいに進すすめるto proceed with the advantage; to press one's advantage
序じょ盤ばんの攻こう撃げきで試し合あいを優ゆう勢せいに進すすめた。
With an early attack, they pressed their advantage through the match.
優ゆう勢せいに立たつto gain the upper hand
交こう渉しょうで優ゆう勢せいに立たつことができた。
We were able to gain the upper hand in the negotiations.

Kanji

優tenderness, excel, surpass
勢forces, energy, military strength

Related words

有ゆう利りN3
優勢 describes an overall state of dominance in a competition or conflict, while 有利 describes favorable conditions or a position that gives someone an edge.
優ゆう位いN1
優勢 emphasizes actively winning or leading in a struggle, while 優位 refers more broadly to a superior status or standing, even outside direct competition.
支し配はい的てき
優勢 describes being ahead or superior in a competition or contest, while 支配的 describes holding overall controlling influence, as in an opinion or system.
優ゆう越えつN1
優勢 describes a temporary advantage or dominance in a competitive situation, whereas 優越 implies a more inherent or lasting superiority.

Opposites

劣れっ勢せい
inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation
死しに体たい
優勢 means having the upper hand or a dominant position, the opposite of 死に体's sense of being in an unrecoverable losing posture.

Don't confuse with

優ゆう性せい
優勢 (ゆうせい) means dominance or advantage in a contest, while 優性 (ゆうせい) is a genetics term meaning 'dominant' as in a dominant gene or trait.

Word family

優ゆう勢せい勝がち
win by judges' decision (judo)
数すう的てき優ゆう勢せい
numerical superiority; superiority in numbers
航こう空くう優ゆう勢せい
air superiority

Etymology

Compound of 優 (superior) and 勢 (power, force). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of superiority or predominance.