故
happenstance, especially, intentionally, reason, cause, circumstances, the late, therefore, consequently
Readings
On'yomi
- コ
Kun'yomi
- ゆえ
- ふる.い
- もと
Meaning
故 centers on a past cause or reason that leads to a present result: it covers the idea of circumstances, intentionality, and consequently. The sense of 'the late' is a natural extension of something that is past.
Most common words using 故
20 of 141- 何故なぜN5
why; how; for what reason
- 事故じこN4
accident; incident; trouble
- 何故なにゆえN1
why
- 故障こしょうN5
fault; trouble; breakdown; failure; being out of order
- 何故かなぜかN2
somehow; for some reason; without knowing why
- 故郷ふるさとN3
hometown; birthplace; native place; one's old home
- 故郷こきょうN3
hometown; birthplace; native place; one's old home
- 故ゆえ
reason; cause; circumstances; grounds
- 故こN1
the late; the deceased
- 故にゆえに
therefore; consequently
- 何故ならなぜならN3
because; the reason is; if you want to know why
- 故意こいN1
intent; intention; bad faith
- 故人こじんN2
the deceased; the departed
- 事故死じこし
accidental death
- 物故ぶっこ
death (of a person)
- 反故ほご
wastepaper; scrap paper
- 故事こじN1
historical event; ancient event
- 縁故えんこ
relation; connection; affinity
- 生まれ故郷うまれこきょう
one's birthplace
- 故国ここく
one's native land
Study
Etymology
故 combines 古 (old) with 攵 (action), suggesting an old cause or reason that leads to a result. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component relationship is broadly accepted.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 古 means old, and the right side 攵 suggests an action. Think of an old action that becomes the reason for something happening now: the cause is in the past, so 故 is reason or cause.
Reading mnemonic
For コ, imagine a detective saying 'Aha! The cause is an old coin (コイン)!' The coin (コ) is the reason behind the mystery.