puissance and pouvoir

I would like to know the differences, nuances between these two words. My teacher uses pouvoir and I use puissance.....are they interchangeable?
Thanks Pam

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Permalink Reply by Frank on November 6, 2009 at 4:02pm

Hi Pam,

There's indeed a nuance between these words.

"pouvoir" has the idea of being respected, influential, you have authority. Another use of "pouvoir" is when you have special skills (for instance you can predict the future).

OTOH, "puissance" means that somebody or something is powerful, strong, efficient. Or that somebody has a great capacity for something.

"puissance" often applies to things, while "pouvoir" rather applies to people.

Here's a couple of examples :

- Un patron a le pouvoir de virer ses employés (maybe the boss is physically weak, but he has the power to fire people anytime)

- Roger Federer a un coup droit puissant (he has a powerful forehand)

- Superman a le pouvoir de voler (it's a special skill, a gift of nature)

- Ce produit est puissant (this product is very efficient)

Sometimes, they are interchangeable. For instance, President Obama has "pouvoir" and "puissance", because he has authority (pouvoir), and his decisions can have a huge impact (puissance).

"puissant" is also used in informal speech as a way to say "intense".