有力(ゆうりょく)

ゆうりょく
na-adjective, noun
influential, powerful; strong (candidate/theory)
1. influential, powerful
Having great power, authority, or influence. Used for people, organizations, or entities with significant sway.
有力(ゆうりょく)な政治家(せいじか)に相談(そうだん)した。
I consulted an influential politician.
有力(ゆうりょく)企業(きぎょう)がスポンサーについた。
A powerful company became a sponsor.
地元(じもと)の有力者(ゆうりょくしゃ)たちが集(あつ)まり、地域(ちいき)開発(かいはつ)について話(はな)し合(あ)った。
Local influential figures gathered to discuss regional development.
2. strong, leading, likely (candidate/theory/clue)
Having a high likelihood of being correct or winning. Used for candidates, theories, leads, or possibilities that are considered the most probable.
彼(かれ)が有力(ゆうりょく)な候補(こうほ)だ。
He is a strong candidate.
有力(ゆうりょく)な手(て)がかりが見(み)つかった。
A strong lead was found.
現時点(げんじてん)で最(もっと)も有力(ゆうりょく)な説(せつ)は、隕石(いんせき)衝突(しょうとつ)が原因(げんいん)だというものだ。
The most compelling theory at present is that a meteorite impact was the cause.

USAGE:
Sense 1 describes power and influence held by people or organizations. 有力者(ゆうりょくしゃ) (an influential person) is a common derived noun.
Sense 2 is very common in news reporting: 有力(ゆうりょく)な候補(こうほ) (strong candidate), 有力(ゆうりょく)な説(せつ) (leading theory), 有力(ゆうりょく)な手(て)がかり (strong lead).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 有力(ゆうりょく)な候補(こうほ): strong candidate
  • 有力(ゆうりょく)な説(せつ): leading theory
  • 有力(ゆうりょく)な手(て)がかり: strong lead/clue
  • 有力者(ゆうりょくしゃ): influential person, person of influence
  • 有力(ゆうりょく)企業(きぎょう): powerful company

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 影響力(えいきょうりょく)のある: influential (descriptive phrase)
  • 強力(きょうりょく): powerful, strong (physical or abstract force)
general
Added 2026.2.23 14:16
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