168
勢
Force, Energy, Momentum
いきお.い
JLPT N2
Interesting Fact
Sports commentators often use 勢い (ikioi), meaning 'momentum,' when describing a team that is rapidly gaining confidence and winning games.
Memory Trick
Imagine a fast-moving river rushing downhill with unstoppable force. That powerful momentum helps you remember 勢 means 'force' or 'energy.'
Readings
Onyomi: セイ (sei), ゼイ (zei)
Kunyomi: いきお.い
Example Words
勢い
いきおい (ikioi)
Momentum
勢力
せいりょく (seiryoku)
Power, Influence
情勢
じょうせい (jousei)
Situation
大勢
おおぜい (oozei)
A large number of people
Example Sentence
彼 は 勢い よく 走りました。
かれ は いきおい よく はしりました。
kare wa ikioi yoku hashirimashita
He ran with great energy.