核
nucleus, core, kernel
Readings
On'yomi
- カク
Kun'yomi
—
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.
Most common words using 核
20 of 232- 核かくN2
stone (of a fruit); pit; pip
- 核兵器かくへいきN1
nuclear weapon
- 中核ちゅうかくN1
kernel; core; nucleus; center; centre
- 核心かくしんN1
core; heart (of the matter); point; crux; kernel
- 結核けっかくN1
tuberculosis; TB
- 核ミサイルかくミサイル
nuclear missile
- 非核ひかく
non-nuclear; anti-nuclear
- 核弾頭かくだんとう
nuclear warhead
- 核酸かくさん
nucleic acid
- 核保有かくほゆう
possession of nuclear weapons
- 核分裂かくぶんれつ
nuclear fission
- 原子核げんしかく
nucleus; atomic nucleus
- 核種かくしゅ
nuclide
- 反核はんかく
anti-nuclear
- 肺結核はいけっかく
pulmonary tuberculosis
- 核軍縮かくぐんしゅく
nuclear disarmament
- 痔核じかく
hemorrhoid
- 核実験かくじっけん
nuclear (bomb) test
- 核燃料かくねんりょう
nuclear fuel
- 核家族かくかぞく
nuclear family
Study
Etymology
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.
Meaning mnemonic
A tree (木) with a hard inner core (亥) like a fruit pit: the kernel is the essential part.
Reading mnemonic
For カク, imagine cracking open a nut to find the kernel: the crack sound cues カク, and inside is the core.