暴力

• Reading: ぼうりょく
• Romaji: boryoku
• Kanji breakdown: 暴 (bo) — violent, reckless; 力 (ryoku) — force, power
• Pronunciation: /boː.ɾjo.kɯ/

Meaning

Violence; force; brutality. The use of physical force to harm, coerce, or intimidate; also used broadly for any coercive or destructive force.

A central term in discussions of crime, domestic abuse, war, and social conflict. 暴力団 (violent gang, yakuza) is a commonly seen compound. 家庭内暴力 (domestic violence, often abbreviated DV) and 言葉の暴力 (verbal violence/abuse) extend the term beyond the purely physical. 暴力 is also used in political philosophy to discuss the monopoly of violence (暴力の独占) held by the state. Its tone is always serious and carries strong moral weight in Japanese discourse.

Examples

1. 暴力は問題を解決するどころか、さらなる憎しみと対立を生み出すだけだ。 Violence, far from solving problems, only gives rise to further hatred and conflict.
2. 被害者支援センターでは家庭内暴力に悩む当事者の相談を無料で受け付けている。 Victim support centres offer free consultations to those suffering from domestic violence.
3. 国際社会は暴力によらない紛争解決の仕組みを構築するための努力を続けている。 The international community continues its efforts to build mechanisms for resolving conflicts without recourse to violence.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, social issues, domestic abuse, war, political philosophy

Tone: serious, moral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 暴 (bo — violent, sudden, reckless) + 力 (ryoku — force, power). The combination of 暴 (unrestrained/violent) and 力 (physical force) directly conveys the meaning. Used in both classical Chinese and modern East Asian languages. In Japanese, it contrasts with 権力 (political power) and 能力 (ability).

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional-Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal