Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Power" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "power", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
停電
ていでん (teiden)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
権限
けんげん (kengen)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "power" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 停電 and 権限.
In Japanese, 停電 (ていでん (teiden)) is typically associated with "power outage; blackout" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to a temporary loss of electricity supply. Can be caused by natural disasters or accidents. 自然災害や事故などにより、一時的に電気が供給されなくなること。.
On the other hand, 権限 (けんげん (kengen)) maps to "power; authority; jurisdiction; right" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to the official or legal right/authority to make decisions, give orders, or perform certain actions. Commonly used in organizational, legal, or administrative contexts.. A literal translation of "power" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "停電"
昨夜、突然の停電で街中が真っ暗になりました。
Last night, a sudden power outage plunged the whole town into darkness.
Bilingual Context for "権限"
この件に関して、彼には最終決定を下す権限がある。
He has the authority to make the final decision regarding this matter.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "昨夜、突然の ＿＿＿ で街中が真っ暗になりました。" (Meaning: "Last night, a sudden power outage plunged the whole town into darkness.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "停電" fits here because it means "power outage; blackout" in the context of: "Last night, a sudden power outage plunged the whole town into darkness.". "権限" represents "power; authority; jurisdiction; right".