ごう gou

kanji

合

Meaning

Fit, Match

Reading

kunyomiあ

a

あい

ai

onyomiが

ga

ごう

gou

Parts

口Mouth 人Person 一One

Example Word

場合: case. The Japanese noun '場合 (ばあい)' means 'case' or 'situation'. It is used to refer to a specific instance, scenario, or circumstance. This word is often used in conditional statements or when discussing hypothetical situations. For example: in case of rain, the event will be canceled「雨の場合、イベントは中止です」(あめのばあい、イベントはちゅうしです). In that case, I will call you「その場合、電話します」(そのばあい、でんわします). Note that '場合' is commonly paired with conditional phrases like '～の場合' to indicate 'in the case of ~' or 'if ~ happens'.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

6

JLPT

N3

Grade

2

Frequency

48

Handwriting

kanji

強

Meaning

Strong

Reading

kunyomiし

shi

つよ

tsuyo

onyomiきょう

kyou

ごう

gou

Parts

虫Insect 弓Bow 厶Private

Example Word

勉強: study. The Japanese verbal noun '勉強 (べんきょう)' primarily means 'study'. It refers to the act of learning or acquiring knowledge, often through formal education or self-directed efforts. This word is commonly used in contexts related to education, such as studying for exams or learning new skills. For example: I study Japanese every day「毎日日本語を勉強します」(まいにちにほんごをべんきょうします). She is studying hard for her exams「彼女は試験のために一生懸命勉強しています」(かのじょはしけんのためにいっしょうけんめいべんきょうしています). Additionally, '勉強' can sometimes imply a sense of effort or hard work, not just academic study. It can also be used in a broader sense to mean 'learning through experience' or 'gaining knowledge through practice'.

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

11

JLPT

N4

Grade

2

Frequency

258

Handwriting

kanji

業

Meaning

Business

Reading

kunyomiわざ

waza

onyomiぎょう

gyou

ごう

gou

Parts

业Business (業)䒑Herbs 未Not yet

Example Word

企業: company. The Japanese noun '企業 (きぎょう)' refers to a 'company' or 'enterprise'. It is commonly used to describe a business organization engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities. This term is often used in formal contexts, such as business discussions, news, or academic writing. For example: That company is growing rapidly「あの企業は急速に成長している」(あのきぎょうはきゅうそくにせいちょうしている). Many companies are adopting new technologies「多くの企業が新しい技術を採用している」(おおくのきぎょうがあたらしいぎじゅつをさいようしている). The word can also be used in compound terms like '大企業 (だいきぎょう)' (large corporation) or '中小企業 (ちゅうしょうきぎょう)' (small and medium-sized enterprises).

Radical

木

Stroke Count

13

JLPT

N4

Grade

3

Frequency

310

Radical Form

业

Handwriting

kanji

郷

Meaning

Hometown

Reading

onyomiきょう

kyou

ごう

gou

Parts

幺Slight 艮Stopping ⻏Mound (阜)

Example Word

故郷: hometown. The Japanese noun '故郷 (こきょう)' refers to one's hometown or birthplace, the place where someone was born or raised. It carries a nostalgic and emotional connotation, often evoking feelings of longing or fond memories. For example: I miss my hometown「故郷が恋しい」(こきょうがこいしい). I returned to my hometown after many years「長い年月を経て故郷に戻った」(ながいとしつきをへてこきょうにもどった). This word is commonly used in literature, songs, and conversations to express a deep connection to one's roots.

Radical

邑

Stroke Count

11

JLPT

N1

Grade

6

Frequency

752

Handwriting

kanji

号

Meaning

Number

Reading

onyomiごう

gou

Parts

口Mouth 丂Breath obstruction

Example Word

号: number or edition. The Japanese suffix '号 (ごう)' is commonly used to denote a number or edition. It can be attached to numbers to indicate a specific issue, version, or model, such as in train numbers, magazine issues, or ship names. For example: This is the 3rd edition「これは3号です」(これはさんごうです). The train is number 12「その電車は12号です」(そのでんしゃはじゅうにごうです). It can also be used in names of ships or vehicles, like 'Yamato号 (やまとごう)', meaning 'Yamato ship'. The suffix is versatile and context-dependent, often indicating a specific instance within a series.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

5

JLPT

N3

Grade

3

Frequency

804

Handwriting

kanji

豪

Meaning

Great man, Magnificent

Reading

onyomiごう

gou

Parts

口Mouth 豕Pig 冖Crown 亠Lid

Radical

豕

Stroke Count

14

JLPT

N1

Grade

7

Frequency

1252

Handwriting

kanji

剛

Meaning

Strength, Sturdy

Reading

onyomiごう

gou

Parts

刂Sword (刀)岡Hill

Radical

刀

Stroke Count

10

JLPT

N1

Grade

9

Frequency

1656

Handwriting

kanji

后

Meaning

Empress

Reading

kunyomiきさき

kisaki

onyomiこう

kou

ごう

gou

Parts

口Mouth

Example Word

皇后: empress. The Japanese noun '皇后 (こうごう)' refers to the 'empress', specifically the wife of the reigning emperor. This term is used in the context of the Japanese imperial family and carries a formal and respectful tone. For example: The empress attended the ceremony「皇后は式典に出席しました」(こうごうはしきてんにしゅっせきしました). The empress is known for her charity work「皇后は慈善活動で知られています」(こうごうはじぜんかつどうでしられています). This term is distinct from other titles like '皇太子妃 (こうたいしひ)' (crown princess) or '女帝 (じょてい)' (female emperor), as it specifically denotes the consort of the emperor.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

6

JLPT

N1

Grade

6

Frequency

1834

Handwriting

kanji