Meaning

Primary

Powerless

Alternatives

Powerlessness, Helplessness

Word Type

noun, な adjective, の adjective

Explanation

When your power is nothing you are powerless.

Reading

むりょく
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well. There are a couple possibilities for though, so here's a mnemonic to help you remember which to use:

You know uses its りょく reading here because you're totally powerless when they lock (りょく) you up. Who's "they"? I don't know, but did you hear the click of the lock behind you? That means you're powerless now.

Context

Context Sentences

親は無力ですよ。子が大きくなると、してあげられることなんて、ほとんどありません。

Parents are helpless. When a child grows up, there is very little you can do for them.

自分の無力さを知り、情けない気持ちでいっぱいになりました。

I was filled with a sense of shame as I realized how helpless I was.

できないことが多すぎて無力感がハンパないですが、とにかく今日できることをやっていきます。

There are too many things I can't do, and I feel incredibly powerless, but I'll do what I can today, no matter what.

Kanji Composition