格
status, rank, capacity, character, case (law, grammar)
Readings
On'yomi
- カク
- コウ
- キャク
- ゴウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- いたる
- のり
Meaning
格 centers on a framework that defines position or quality: a person's status or rank, the capacity or character of something, and the grammatical or legal cases that structure language and law.
Most common words using 格
24 of 490- 価格かかくN3
price; value; cost
- 性格せいかくN3
character (of a person); personality; disposition; nature
- 資格しかくN3
qualifications; requirements; capabilities
- 本格ほんかくN1
original method; original procedure; genuine way (of doing something)
- 格好いいかっこいいN4
attractive; good-looking; stylish; cool; smooth; neat; with-it; groovy
- 合格ごうかくN4
passing (an exam); pass; success; passing grade
- 格好かっこうN4
shape; form; figure; posture; pose
- 格かくN1
status; position; rank
- 規格きかくN1
standard; norm
- 人格じんかくN1
personality; character; individuality; personhood
- 格闘かくとうN1
(hand-to-hand) fight; grapple; scuffle; tussle
- 格安かくやす
(very) cheap; (very) inexpensive; cut-price; bargain (price)
- 格差かくさN1
qualitative difference; disparity; gap
- 失格しっかくN1
disqualification; elimination; incapacity
- 厳格げんかくN1
strict; severe; stern; rigid; rigorous; tough
- 昇格しょうかく
promotion; raising of status
- 骨格こっかく
skeleton; skeletal structure; build; frame; physique
- 体格たいかくN1
build; physique; frame; constitution
- 格子こうしN1
lattice; latticework; window bars; grid; grating; trellis
- 格段かくだん
dramatic (improvement); remarkable (difference); marked; noticeable
- 格付けかくづけ
rating; ranking; grading; classification
- 降格こうかく
demotion; relegation; downgrading
- 適格てきかく
eligible; qualified; competent
- 格別かくべつN2
particular; special; exceptional; especial
Study
Etymology
格 combines 木 (tree, wood) with 各, which likely contributes the sound. The original sense may relate to a wooden framework or pattern, later extending to abstract standards and categories.
Meaning mnemonic
A wooden (木) framework (各 suggests a pattern) sets the standard: 格 is the structure that determines status, rank, or category.
Reading mnemonic
For カク, imagine a wooden rack (カク) where each shelf marks a different rank: rack -> カク, and the wooden frame defines the status.