核

nucleus, core, kernel

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 500Strokes10

Meaning

核 centers on the central, essential part of something: the nucleus of a cell, the core of an idea, or the kernel of a seed.

核 combines 木 (tree, wood) with 亥, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of a hard inner part, as in a fruit stone or kernel.

A tree (木) with a hard inner core (亥) like a fruit pit: the kernel is the essential part.

For カク, imagine cracking open a nut to find the kernel: the crack sound cues カク, and inside is the core.

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Study

核 combines 木 (tree, wood) with 亥, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of a hard inner part, as in a fruit stone or kernel.

A tree (木) with a hard inner core (亥) like a fruit pit: the kernel is the essential part.

For カク, imagine cracking open a nut to find the kernel: the crack sound cues カク, and inside is the core.