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威勢 (いせい, isei) Japanese meaning: power | Kotomora
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町まち
で
威い
勢せい
を
振ふ
るっ
て
い
た
。
That family once wielded great influence in this town.
Usage patterns 威い 勢せい を 振ふ るう to wield power; to hold sway
He has held sway over that region for many years.
威い 勢せい を 張は る to put on a bold or tough front
The young men were acting tough all over town.
〈 人ひと 〉 に 威い 勢せい を 示しめ す to show one's power or influence to someone
The new leader showed his authority to his subordinates.
Expressions 威い 勢せい がいい vigorous; energetic; assertive; cheerful 威い 勢せい のいい high-spirited; cheerful; assertive; vigorous Kanji 威 intimidate, dignity, majesty 勢 forces, energy, military strength Related words 勢い is the broader, everyday word for momentum, force, or trend, while 威勢 emphasizes imposing power or spirited boldness.
権威 refers to recognized authority or prestige, whereas 威勢 focuses on the force or influence someone actively displays or exerts.
権勢 specifically denotes political or social power and influence held by a person, while 威勢 can also describe personal vigor or bold spirit, not just authority.
元気 means general health, cheerfulness, or liveliness, while 威勢 suggests a more forceful, outwardly bold or spirited manner.
威勢 emphasizes vigorous, energetic force or spiritedness, while 威 emphasizes a dignified, imposing quality that commands respect.
Don't confuse with 威勢 (いせい, power/vigor) and 異性 (いせい, the opposite sex) are homophones with completely unrelated meanings, so context is needed to tell them apart.
Written forms 威い 勢せい Usage 94%
Standard kanji spelling for both the authority/influence sense and the vigor/spiritedness sense.
いせい Usage 6%
Etymology A Sino-Japanese kanji compound: 威 is associated with power or authority, and 勢 with force or momentum. The compound is conventionally used for both outward power/influence and forceful spirit or vigor.
