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道Nihongo Path
恭

恭·respectful

On-yomi
キョウ
Kun-yomi
うやうや(しい)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

10 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
恭順きょうじゅんobedience, submission
恭しいうやうやしいreverent, deferential
恭賀新年きょうがしんねんHappy New Year (formal greeting)

Example sentences

  1. 執事は恭しく頭を下げた。

    しつじはうやうやしくあたまをさげた。

    The butler bowed his head reverently.

  2. 敗れた将は恭順の意を示した。

    やぶれたしょうはきょうじゅんのいをしめした。

    The defeated general signalled his submission.

  3. 恭賀新年と印刷された葉書が届いた。

    きょうがしんねんといんさつされたはがきがとどいた。

    A card printed with the formal New Year greeting arrived.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 恭しい as きょうしい — it is うやうやしい
  • In given names 恭 is often read やす (恭子 やすこ) as well as きょう

Memory aid

Picture it

The heart radical squashed flat into four strokes at the bottom: the heart lowered before someone — reverence.

Quick check

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What does the kanji 恭 mean?