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影響 (えいきょう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 1,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
influence ; effect ; impact
Broadly used for the effect or influence one thing has on another, whether physical, social, psychological, or abstract. Often used with ～を与える, ～を受ける, or as a する-verb.
この 政せい 策さく は 経けい 済ざい に 悪わる い 影えい 響きょう を 及およ ぼす か も しれ ない 。
This policy may have a negative impact on the economy.
Kanji 影 shadow, silhouette, phantom Similar words 効こう 果か 効果 focuses on a positive, intended result or efficacy, while 影響 is neutral and often implies a broader, sometimes unintended influence.
作さ 用よう 作用 is more technical, referring to a physical, chemical, or mechanical action, whereas 影響 is used for general influence in everyday contexts.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound of 影 (shadow, reflection) and 響 (echo, sound), originally referring to the way a shadow follows a form or an echo follows a sound, extended to mean influence or effect.
