其
that
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
- ギ
- ゴ
Kun'yomi
- それ
- その
Meaning
其 centers on pointing to something specific: that thing, that one, or that particular referent. It functions as a demonstrative pronoun or adjective.
Most common words using 其
20 of 29- 其のままそのままN3
without change; as is
- 其そ
that
- 其れ丈それだけ
that much; as much; to that extent; only that; that alone; no more than that; that is all (when finished speaking)
- 其れではそれではN4
well, ...; right, ...; now, ...
- 其れからそれからN5
and then; after that
- 其れとそれとN3
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
- 其し
that
- そんじょ其処らそんじょそこら
anywhere; here and there
- 何処其処どこそこ
such-and-such a place
- 其々そそ
come on; hurry up; chop chop
- 其とはなしにそれとはなしに
indirectly
- 其の許そのもと
you
- 其れこそそれこそ
especially; particularly
- 其れでこそそれでこそ
just what you'd expect from ...; that's just like (him, her, etc.); that's (exactly) why ...; that's (precisely) the reason ...
- 其れと無しにそれとなしに
indirectly
- 其れなしそれなし
without that
- 其れなればこそそれなればこそ
for that very reason
- 其れにつけてもそれにつけても
even so; be that as it may; concerning that; still
- 其れはそうとそれはそうと
anyway; by the way; incidentally; well; to change the subject
- 其れはそうとしてそれはそうとして
anyway; by the way; incidentally; well; to change the subject
Study
Etymology
其 is an ancient demonstrative character. Its original form likely depicted a winnowing basket, later borrowed phonetically to mean 'that'. The modern shape is a stylized simplification of that early pictograph.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 一 and ハ look like a pointing hand, and the lower 甘-like shape is the object being pointed at. Together they say 'that one right there'.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine pointing at a key object and saying 'that key': key -> キ, and the kanji means 'that'.