Korean word

권력

Pronunciation

Romanizationkwollyeok

Meaning

  • nounpower

Example

권력은 위험할 수 있다.kwol lyeo geun wi heom hal ssu it tta

Power can be dangerous.

Illustration for 권력 (power)

More examples

그는 권력을 남용해서 비난을 받았다.keu neun kwol lyeo geul na myong hae seo pi na neul pa dat tta

He was criticized for abusing his power.

Core concept

The ability to shape other people's choices because of one's role, control, or standing.

Common phrases

  • 권력을 잡다kwol lyeo geul chap tta

    seize power

  • 권력을 남용하다kwol lyeo geul na myong ha da

    abuse power

  • 권력을 행사하다kwol lyeo geul haeng sa ha da

    exercise power

Similar words

권한kwonhan: Official permission to carry out a particular action or use a particular function.
영향력yeonghyangnyeok: The ability to sway people's opinions or behavior while they still choose for themselves.
권위kwonwi: Respect-based authority that makes a person's opinions or decisions carry extra weight.
통제력tongjeryeok: Power to manage a situation or direct how people and events develop.

Definition in Korean

사회나 조직에서 권한이나 영향으로 다른 사람의 행동이나 결정을 좌우하는 힘sa hoe na cho ji ge seo kwon ha ni na yeong hyang eu ro ta reun sa ra mui haeng dong i na kyeol jeong eul chwa u ha neun him

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean parts connect the idea of official authority with the force needed to produce an effect, which explains its social sense.

Usage tips

  • It does not mean only lawful authority, because it can describe influence that comes from a position even when the speaker views that power critically.

Other meanings

  • authoritynoun

Opposites

  • 무력muryeokpowerlessnessnoun

Related words

  • 권력자kwollyeokjjaperson in powernoun
  • 권력남용kwollyeongnamyongabuse of powernoun
  • 권력층kwollyeokcheungpower elitenoun

Word lists with this word