achievement, merits, success, honor, credit
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.
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.
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.
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.
success; achievement
achievement; meritorious deed; distinguished service; contribution
merit; success; meritorious deed
meritorious deed; services
breathing exercise; breath control; spirit cultivation; chi kung; qigong
merit; virtuous deed; act of merit; act of charity
seniority by length of service
distinguished war service; merit of war
utility
award for distinguished service
merits and demerits; good points and bad points; strengths and weaknesses
great achievement; glorious deed; (gaining) fame; (earning) distinction
success; achievement; fruition
merits; distinguished services
(with a) successful outcome; (ending in) success
kung fu
long service
conferral of honors (honours), according to merits
your success
pass completion (percentage)