底(そこ)力(ぢから)

そこぢから
noun
latent strength; reserves of power
abstract
1. latent strength; hidden reserves of power
Strength that is not visible in ordinary circumstances but emerges under pressure. Used of individuals, teams, companies, and economies alike, always with admiration.
チームの底(そこ)力(ぢから)を見(み)せた。
The team showed its true strength.
追(お)い込(こ)まれてから底(そこ)力(ぢから)を発揮(はっき)した。
It was only once cornered that they showed their hidden strength.
不況(ふきょう)の中(なか)でも雇用(こよう)を守(まも)り続(つづ)けたところに、この会社(かいしゃ)の底(そこ)力(ぢから)がある。
The company's underlying strength shows in the fact that it kept protecting jobs even through the recession.

Pronunciation

The second element is voiced to ぢから, not ちから — one of the few common words that keeps the ぢ spelling in modern orthography.

Common collocations

Usage

The word implies adversity: it is used when strength appears in a pinch, so it fits comebacks, late rallies, and recoveries rather than steady everyday performance.

Related Words

Compare: 総合力(そうごうりょく) (overall ability)
general
Added 2026.8.13 9:22 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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