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道Nihongo Path
構

構·structure, construct, mind (care about)

On-yomi
コウ
Kun-yomi
かまえるかまう

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
構造こうぞうstructure
構うかまうto mind, to care
結構けっこうquite; fine, no thank you
構成こうせいcomposition, organisation

Example sentences

  1. 写真を撮っても構いませんか。

    しゃしんをとってもかまいませんか。

    Do you mind if I take a photo?

  2. この建物の構造は珍しいです。

    このたてもののこうぞうはめずらしいです。

    The structure of this building is unusual.

  3. コーヒーは結構です。

    こーひーはけっこうです。

    No thank you, I'm fine without coffee.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Taking 結構です as agreement — it usually means a polite refusal
  • Reading 構う as こうう; the kun reading is かまう

Memory aid

Picture it

Timber (木) stacked in a criss-cross frame — that frame is the structure you build.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 構 mean?