勢(いきお)い

いきおい
noun, adverb
force, vigor, momentum
descriptive
1. force, vigor, energy
Physical or emotional strength and intensity.
勢(いきお)いよく走(はし)り出(だ)した。
He started running vigorously.
水(みず)が勢(いきお)いよく流(なが)れている。
Water is flowing with great force.
風(かぜ)の勢(いきお)いが強(つよ)くて、傘(かさ)が壊(こわ)れそうになった。
The wind was so strong that my umbrella almost broke.
2. momentum, impetus
The force or speed gained by movement or progress.
勢(いきお)いに乗(の)る。
To ride the momentum.
Common expression
勢(いきお)い余(あま)って転(ころ)んだ。
I fell over from the momentum.
勢(いきお)いを増(ま)して坂(さか)を下(くだ)っていった。
It picked up speed going down the hill.
3. influence, power
The capacity to affect others or events.
あの会社(かいしゃ)は勢(いきお)いがある。
That company has a lot of influence.
若(わか)い選手(せんしゅ)の勢(いきお)いに押(お)された。
I was overwhelmed by the young player's energy.
反対(はんたい)運動(うんどう)の勢(いきお)いが広(ひろ)がっている。
The opposition movement is gaining power.
4. naturally, inevitably
As a natural consequence (adverbial use).
仕事(しごと)が増(ふ)えると、勢(いきお)い時間(じかん)がなくなる。
When work increases, you inevitably run out of time.
Adverbial use
人口(じんこう)が減(へ)れば、勢(いきお)い経済(けいざい)も縮小(しゅくしょう)する。
If the population declines, the economy will naturally shrink too.
Adverbial use
一人(ひとり)で全部(ぜんぶ)やろうとすると、勢(いきお)い無理(むり)が出(で)てくる。
If you try to do everything alone, strain will inevitably build up.
Adverbial use

勢(いきお)い has a broad range of meanings centered on force, vigor, and momentum. It can function as both a noun and an adverb.

Noun uses

1. Physical force/vigor: 水(みず)の勢(いきお)い (force of water)
2. Momentum/impetus: 勢(いきお)いに乗(の)る (ride the momentum)
3. Influence/power: 会社(かいしゃ)の勢(いきお)い (a company's power)

Common patterns

Adverbial use

When used as an adverb, 勢(いきお)い means 'naturally' or 'inevitably' — something happens as a natural consequence.

Related Words

Compare: 機運(きうん) (momentum, opportunity, climate for change)
Compare: 弾(はず)み (momentum)
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
01500/01782_ikioi