説得力

• Reading: せっとくりょく
• Romaji: settokuryoku
• Kanji breakdown: 説 (setsu) — explain; 得 (toku) — obtain, gain; 力 (ryoku) — power, strength
• Pronunciation: /set.to.kɯ.ɾjo.kɯ/

Meaning

Persuasiveness; powers of persuasion; cogency. The ability to convince others.

A noun formed from 説得 (settoku, persuasion) + 力 (ryoku, power/ability). Describes the quality of an argument, speech, or person that makes them convincing. Very commonly used: 説得力がある (to be persuasive), 説得力に欠ける (to lack persuasiveness), 説得力のある主張 (a convincing argument). An essential concept in business presentations, debates, and academic writing.

Examples

1. データに基づいた主張は説得力がある。 Arguments backed by data are persuasive.
2. 彼のプレゼンは情熱的だが説得力に欠ける。 His presentation is passionate but lacks persuasiveness.
3. 経験者の言葉には説得力がある。 The words of someone with experience carry real weight.

Usage Guide

Context: business, academic, debate

Tone: analytical

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 説得 (settoku, persuasion; lit. 'explain and obtain') + 力 (ryoku, power/strength). Together they form 'the power to persuade' — the ability to convince through explanation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal