勢 means “force, momentum”

いきおい · ikioi

Also: forces, energy, military strength

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

いきおい, はずみ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

セイ, ゼイ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 5 · 13 strokes

The story

Picture someone planting a seedling (埶) with all their strength (力): growth that keeps pushing upward. 勢い is momentum, 大勢 is a crowd of people, and 勢力 is the power a faction wields in politics.

Used in 勢い (ikioi, momentum/force), 大勢 (oozei, crowd/many people), and 姿勢 (shisei, posture/attitude)

More from Halls of Government

• 副 vice-
• 省 ministry
• 禁 prohibit
• 署 public office
• 則 rule
• 庁 government agency
• 令 order
• 律 law
• 臣 minister
• 党 party
• 協 cooperation
• 総 total

Learn 勢 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.