효력
The legal force, validity, or effectiveness of a law, contract, medicine, or action. It describes the state of being functional or active.
Examples
3 of 5새로운 법안의 효력은 내년 1월부터 시작된다.
The validity of the new bill begins next January.
유통기한이 지난 약은 효력이 떨어질 수 있다.
Medicine past its expiration date may lose its effectiveness.
그 조약은 이제 법적 효력을 상실했습니다.
The treaty has now lost its legal force.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Hyo-ryeok: 'Hyo' (Effect) + 'Ryeok' (Power/Force). The power to produce an effect.
Quick Quiz
양측이 합의서에 서명함으로써 계약의 ____이 발생했다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 효력
Examples
새로운 법안의 효력은 내년 1월부터 시작된다.
formalThe validity of the new bill begins next January.
유통기한이 지난 약은 효력이 떨어질 수 있다.
everydayMedicine past its expiration date may lose its effectiveness.
그 조약은 이제 법적 효력을 상실했습니다.
formalThe treaty has now lost its legal force.
비자가 만료되어 효력이 정지되었습니다.
businessThe visa expired and its validity has been suspended.
이 규칙이 아직 효력이 있는 거야?
informalIs this rule still in effect?
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
실효성
effectiveness / practicality
유효 기간
validity period / expiration date
발효일
effective date
Often Confused With
효과 is the general result or effect of an action, while 효력 is specifically about legal or functional validity.
Usage Notes
Common in IELTS Reading passages concerning legal agreements, international treaties, or medical studies.
Common Mistakes
Don't use '효력' when talking about the effect of a movie or a person's mood; use '효과' or '영향' instead.
Memory Tip
Hyo-ryeok: 'Hyo' (Effect) + 'Ryeok' (Power/Force). The power to produce an effect.
Word Origin
From Hanja 效力: 效 (to imitate/effect) + 力 (power).
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
양측이 합의서에 서명함으로써 계약의 ____이 발생했다.
Correct!
The correct answer is: 효력
Related Vocabulary
More law words
저촉되다
B2To conflict with or violate a law, rule, or regulation. It is a formal legal term used when an action goes against established norms.
규정하다
B2To state officially what a particular situation is or what should be done; to define or stipulate rules.
유예
B2The postponement or suspension of an event, decision, or the execution of a legal sentence.
귀속되다
B2To be legally or naturally attributed to or belong to a certain entity, person, or group.
부과하다
B1To officially force a rule, tax, punishment, or duty to be obeyed or received.
정당화
B1The act of showing or proving something to be right, reasonable, or justified, especially an action that might otherwise be criticized.
소유
B1The act or state of having, owning, or possessing something, especially property or assets.
위반하다
B1To act against a law, rule, or agreement; to break a regulation.
위배되다
B1To go against or violate a law, principle, rule, or expectation. It is a formal way of saying something is 'in violation of' something else.
처벌
B1The act of punishing someone for a crime or bad behavior. It is often debated in terms of its effectiveness as a deterrent.
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