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
生殺与奪
せいさつよだつ (seisatsu yodatsu)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "power" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 停電 and 生殺与奪.
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, 生殺与奪 (せいさつよだつ (seisatsu yodatsu)) maps to "power over life and death; absolute power" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents 相手の生死や命運を完全に支配する権力や立場を指す四字熟語。非常に強い権限を表す。. 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 "生殺与奪"
彼はこの組織において、部下の生殺与奪の権を握っている。
He holds the power of life and death over his subordinates in this organization.
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.". "生殺与奪" represents "power over life and death; absolute power".