Usage patterns 〈 物もの 〉 に 効こう 能のう がある something has a (beneficial) effect
This tea has the effect of improving poor circulation.
効こう 能のう を 発はっ 揮き する to show/demonstrate its (beneficial) effect
This medicine shows its effect as soon as it is taken.
〈 物もの 〉 の 効こう 能のう を 試ため す to test the efficacy of something
I tried out the new lotion to see how effective it was.
Kanji 効 merit, efficacy, efficiency 功 achievement, merits, success Related words· 6 効果 is the neutral, general word for an effect or result, while 効能 highlights the inherent beneficial power of something like a medicine or remedy.
効き目 is a colloquial way to talk about how well a medicine or method works, while 効能 is the more formal, often written term for the same beneficial effect.
薬効 specifically means the medicinal efficacy of a drug, whereas 効能 can describe the beneficial effect of medicines, foods, or practices more broadly.
効用 leans toward the practical usefulness or utility of something (also an economics term), while 効能 stresses a positive, often health-related, inherent power.
Show 2 more Show fewer 効能 is a more formal term for the beneficial effect of medicine or treatment, while 利き is a general everyday word for how well something works.
効能 is used specifically for the beneficial effect of medicine or remedies, whereas 効力 is broader and also covers legal or contractual validity.
Etymology Compound of 効 (effect, efficacy) and 能 (ability, function). The spelling 功能 is a variant using 功 (achievement, merit) instead of 効 .
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