Meaning and Usage
"有力" (ゆうりょく) means "influential," "powerful," or "prominent." It is often used to describe people, evidence, candidates, or factors that have strong influence or importance in a certain context.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "有力" used in formal or written Japanese, such as news reports, academic discussions, or business settings. It conveys a sense of authority or strong impact.
Collocations and Patterns
- 有力な専門家 (ゆうりょくなせんもんか): a prominent expert
- 有力な証拠 (ゆうりょくなしょうこ): strong evidence
- 有力な候補者 (ゆうりょくなこうほしゃ): a strong candidate
These collocations emphasize the strength or credibility of the noun they modify.
Nuances and Tips
"有力" is a formal adjective and is not typically used in casual conversation. It implies a high level of influence or importance, so avoid using it for trivial matters. A common learner mistake is to confuse "有力" with simply "powerful" in a physical sense; however, "有力" usually refers to influence, authority, or prominence rather than physical strength.