郷
郷·hometown, village
- On-yomi
- キョウゴウ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 故郷 | こきょう | hometown, birthplace |
| 郷土 | きょうど | one's native place, local |
| 郷里 | きょうり | home village |
| 帰郷 | ききょう | returning to one's hometown |
Example sentences
久しぶりに故郷へ帰った。
ひさしぶりにこきょうへかえった。
I went back to my hometown after a long time.
この店では郷土料理が食べられる。
このみせではきょうどりょうりがたべられる。
You can eat local regional dishes at this restaurant.
正月に帰郷する人で駅は混んでいた。
しょうがつにききょうするひとでえきはこんでいた。
The station was crowded with people returning home for New Year.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 郷郵郵 (mail) also carries the village radical 阝 on the right; 郷 has a mirrored pair of elements around a centre.
- 郷卿卿 (lord) has nearly the same outline; 郷 has 皀 in the middle.
Common mistakes
- Reading 故郷 as こごう — it is こきょう (the poetic ふるさと is a separate reading)
- Using 郷土 of a country; it means one's local region, not a nation
Memory aid
Picture it
Two villagers facing each other across a bowl of food — the home village where people share a meal.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 郷 mean?