有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)

ゆうりょくこうほ
noun
leading candidate; strong contender; front-runner
1. leading candidate; strong contender; front-runner
A candidate or option that is considered most likely to be chosen, win, or succeed.
彼(かれ)は次期(じき)社長(しゃちょう)の有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)だ。
He is a leading candidate for the next president.
有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)が三人(さんにん)いる。
There are three strong contenders.
その都市(とし)はオリンピック開催地(かいさいち)の有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)と見(み)られている。
That city is seen as a leading candidate to host the Olympics.

A compound of 有力(ゆうりょく) (influential, powerful) + 候補(こうほ) (candidate). Very common in news reporting about elections, competitions, personnel decisions, and selection processes.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)と目(もく)される: to be regarded as a leading candidate
  • 有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)に挙(あ)がる: to emerge as a strong contender
  • 最(もっと)も有力(ゆうりょく)な候補(こうほ): the most likely candidate
  • 有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ)の一人(ひとり): one of the leading candidates

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 本命(ほんめい): the favorite — implies the one most expected to win, while 有力候補(ゆうりょくこうほ) may refer to one of several strong options
  • 対抗馬(たいこうば): rival candidate — specifically refers to a challenger against the favorite
general
Added 2026.4.7 9:58
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