Japanese word

暴力

Pronunciation

Romajibōryoku

Meaning

  • nounviolence

Example

暴力はよくありません。bō ryoku wa yo ku a ri ma se n

Violence is not okay.

Illustration for 暴力 (violence)

More examples

問題が起きても、暴力を使わずに話し合いで解決することが大切です。mon dai ga o ki te mo bō ryoku o tsuka wa zu ni hana shi a i de kai ketsu su ru ko to ga tai setsu de su

Even when a problem arises, it is important to resolve it through discussion without using violence.

Core concept

Describes physical force used to hurt, threaten, or control another person.

Common phrases

  • 暴力を振るうbō ryoku o fu rū

    use violence

  • 暴力を受けるbō ryoku o u ke ru

    experience violence

  • 暴力に訴えるbō ryoku ni utta e ru

    resort to violence

Similar words

暴行bōkō: An act of physically attacking or harming another person.
乱暴ranbō: Rough or violent behavior that harms or intimidates another person.

Definition in Japanese

人を傷つけたり、脅したり、従わせたりするために用いる乱暴な力。hito o kizu tsu ke ta ri odo shi ta ri shitaga wa se ta ri su ru ta me ni mochi i ru ran bō na chikara

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound combines 暴 (bō, "violent") and 力 (ryoku, "power"), forming the sense of violent power.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 暴力 (bōryoku) is a formal term often used in news and rules, while 暴力を振るう (bōryoku o furū) means to use violence against someone.

Other meanings

  • forcenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 暴力的bōryokutekiviolentna-adjective
  • 暴力性bōryokuseiviolencenoun

Word lists with this word