1.
the skill or ability to negotiate effectively; the leverage one holds in a negotiation
The ability to achieve favorable outcomes in negotiations, whether between countries, companies, or individuals. Covers both personal skill (persuasion, tactics, communication) and structural leverage (market position, alternatives, information). Common in business, diplomacy, and career writing.
This company has a high market share and also strong bargaining power over its suppliers.
Composed of 交渉 (negotiation) + 力 (power, ability), patterned on other 力-compounds like 行動力 (initiative) and 判断力 (decisiveness). The suffix 力 is extremely productive in Japanese business and self-development vocabulary.
TWO SENSES OF "POWER":
交渉力 covers both of the English concepts "negotiating skill" and "bargaining power":
- PERSONAL SKILL: the ability of an individual to argue, persuade, and reach favorable terms.
- STRUCTURAL LEVERAGE: the objective advantage one party holds — e.g., a supplier with few competitors has strong 交渉力 over buyers.
The context usually makes clear which is meant; 個人の交渉力 (personal negotiating skill) emphasizes the first, while 市場での交渉力 (market bargaining power) emphasizes the second.
Common collocations
- 交渉力がある: to have negotiating skill / bargaining power
- 交渉力が高い / 強い: to be strong in negotiation
- 交渉力が弱い: to be weak at negotiation
- 交渉力を身につける: to acquire negotiating skills
- 交渉力を鍛える: to train one's negotiating skills
- 交渉力を発揮する: to demonstrate one's negotiating skill
Similar words
- 説得力: persuasiveness; the ability to convince — focuses on verbal / logical persuasion of a single listener.
- 営業力: sales ability — the skill of closing sales, a narrower business-oriented concept.
- 交渉術: negotiating technique; the art of negotiation — emphasizes specific techniques and methods rather than raw ability.
- 発言力: clout; influence in discussion — the weight one's opinion carries in a group.
Usage
Related Words
Related:
説得力 (persuasiveness)