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Word 242 of 2252

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効く

きく

to be effective

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. この薬はよく効きます。

    このくすりはよくききます。

    This medicine works well.

  2. 頭が痛かったが、薬が効いてきた。

    あたまがいたかったが、くすりがきいてきた。

    My head hurt, but the medicine has started to work.

  3. この部屋はクーラーが効きすぎて寒いです。

    このへやはくーらーがききすぎてさむいです。

    The air conditioning is too strong in this room and it's cold.

Common patterns

薬が効く
for medicine to work
よく効く
to be very effective
エアコンが効く
for the air conditioning to work

Memory tip

効く is about something producing its intended effect — medicine, air conditioning, a method. It sounds identical to 聞く, so only the kanji tells them apart in writing.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 効く mean?