How to say 'Work' in Japanese | 利く

Wondering how to say 'Work' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Work is 'Kiku', written as 利く in Japanese.'Work' in hiragana is きく.

word

利く

Meaning

Work

Reading

きく

kiku

Kanji

利Profit, Advantage

Explanation

The Japanese verb '利く (きく)' means 'to work' or 'to be effective'. It is often used to describe something functioning as intended or having an effect. For example: this medicine works「この薬は利く」(このくすりはきく). His plan worked「彼の計画は利いた」(かれのけいかくはきいた). It can also be used to describe someone's abilities, such as '彼は頭が利く (かれはあたまがきく)' meaning 'he is quick-witted'. Note that this verb is different from '聞く (きく)' which means 'to listen' or 'to ask'.

Part Of Speech

verb

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

2714

Composition

kanji-hiragana

Handwriting

This word is a godan verb. To learn how it transforms in different tenses and forms, explore all its conjugations.

Kanji in the Word 利く

This word contains 1 kanji character:

kanji

利

Meaning

Profit, Advantage

Hiragana in the Word 利く

This word contains 1 Hiragana character :

hiragana

く

Reading

Words Related to 利く Through the Kanji 利

These 12 Words contain the Kanji 利 as well.

word

利益

Meaning

Profit, Benefit

word

権利

Meaning

Right

word

利用

Meaning

Use

word

便利

Meaning

Convenient

word

金利

Meaning

Interest

word

勝利

Meaning

Victory

word

有利

Meaning

Advantageous

word

利害

Meaning

Interests, Gains

word

不利

Meaning

Disadvantage

word

左利き

Meaning

Left handed

word

利息

Meaning

Interest

word

利子

Meaning

Interest

Learn the Word 利く

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What does 'Kiku' (利く) mean?

'Kiku' means 'Work' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.