酷
酷·cruel, severe, harsh
- On-yomi
- コク
- Kun-yomi
- むご(い)ひど(い)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 残酷 | ざんこく | cruel, brutal |
| 過酷 | かこく | harsh, severe (conditions) |
| 酷評 | こくひょう | harsh criticism, panning |
| 酷似 | こくじ | close resemblance |
Example sentences
その映画の場面は残酷すぎる。
そのえいがのばめんはざんこくすぎる。
That scene in the film is too cruel.
過酷な環境での作業が続いている。
かこくなかんきょうでのさぎょうがつづいている。
Work continues under harsh conditions.
新作は批評家に酷評された。
しんさくはひひょうかにこくひょうされた。
The new work was panned by the critics.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 酷似 as こくに — it is こくじ
- 酷い is normally written ひどい in kana; the kanji is more often met in 残酷 and 過酷
Memory aid
Picture it
The wine-jar radical 酉 with 告 (to announce): liquor so strong it announces itself — harsh, and by extension cruel.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 酷 mean?