功
achievement, merits, success, honor, credit
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- ク
Kun'yomi
- いさお
Nanori
- いさ
- かつ
- くぬ
- ぐう
- こと
- つとむ
- とし
- のり
- よし
Meaning
功 centers on effort that yields a recognized result: achievement, success, or honor earned through work. The ideas of merit and credit are natural extensions of that earned recognition.
Most common words using 功
20 of 87- 成功せいこうN4
success; achievement
- 功績こうせきN2
achievement; meritorious deed; distinguished service; contribution
- 功こう
merit; success; meritorious deed
- 功労こうろう
meritorious deed; services
- 気功きこう
breathing exercise; breath control; spirit cultivation; chi kung; qigong
- 功徳くどく
merit; virtuous deed; act of merit; act of charity
- 年功序列ねんこうじょれつ
seniority by length of service
- 戦功せんこう
distinguished war service; merit of war
- 功利こうり
utility
- 功労賞こうろうしょう
award for distinguished service
- 功罪こうざい
merits and demerits; good points and bad points; strengths and weaknesses
- 功名こうみょう
great achievement; glorious deed; (gaining) fame; (earning) distinction
- 奏功そうこう
success; achievement; fruition
- 勲功くんこう
merits; distinguished services
- 成功裏せいこうり
(with a) successful outcome; (ending in) success
- 功夫カンフー
kung fu
- 年功ねんこう
long service
- 論功行賞ろんこうこうしょう
conferral of honors (honours), according to merits
- 大成功だいせいこう
great success; huge success
- 武功ぶこう
military exploits; military feats; military achievements; distinguished military service
Study
Etymology
功 combines 工 (work, craft) and 力 (strength, effort), expressing the idea of achieving something through effort. The 工 component likely also contributes a phonetic role.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 工 suggests work or a tool, and the right side 力 is strength. Picture a strong worker using a tool to build something great—that effort becomes an achievement.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a proud worker showing off their achievement and saying 'I did it with my own two hands'—the word 'own' sounds like コウ, and the hands remind you of the effort.