興
興·interest, rise
- On-yomi
- コウキョウ
- Kun-yomi
- おこ(る)おこ(す)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 興味 | きょうみ | interest (in something) |
| 興奮 | こうふん | excitement, being worked up |
| 復興 | ふっこう | reconstruction, revival |
| 興味深い | きょうみぶかい | deeply interesting |
Example sentences
日本の歴史に興味があります。
にほんのれきしにきょうみがあります。
I'm interested in Japanese history.
試合を見て興奮した。
しあいをみてこうふんした。
I got excited watching the game.
町の復興には長い時間がかかる。
まちのふっこうにはながいじかんがかかる。
Rebuilding the town will take a long time.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 興与与 (to give) sits inside the middle of 興 and is far simpler — 興 wraps hands around it.
- 興輿輿 (palanquin) is 興 with 車 in the middle; it is rare, but the outline is identical.
Common mistakes
- Reading 興味 as こうみ — this compound takes キョウ
- Reading 興奮 as きょうふん — that one takes コウ
Memory aid
Picture it
Hands at all four corners lifting a table together — raising something up, which is also the lift you feel when something interests you.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 興奮こうふんexcitement
- 復興ふっこうreconstruction, revival
- 興行こうぎょうshow, performance (commercial)
- 興じるきょうじるto amuse oneself (with); to be absorbed in; to make merry
- 振興しんこうpromotion; encouragement (of an industry or region)
- 余興よきょうentertainment; side show; performance at a party
- 興業こうぎょうpromotion of industry; starting up an enterprise
- 新興しんこうnewly risen; emerging; up-and-coming
- 興味きょうみinterest
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 興 mean?