確
assurance, firm, tight, hard, solid, confirm, clear, evident
Readings
On'yomi
- カク
- コウ
Kun'yomi
- たし.か
- たし.かめる
Meaning
確 centers on certainty and solidity: something firm, hard, and undeniable. Its meanings extend naturally from physical solidity to the assurance of confirmed, clear evidence.
Most common words using 確
20 of 182- 確認かくにんN4
confirmation; verification; validation; review; check; affirmation; identification
- 確かたしかN4
sure; certain; positive; definite
- 確実かくじつN3
certain; sure; definite; reliable; sound; solid; safe; secure
- 確保かくほN2
securing; obtaining; ensuring; guarantee; maintaining
- 確定かくていN2
decision; settlement; confirmation; establishment
- 正確せいかくN3
accurate; correct; precise; exact
- 確率かくりつN3
probability; likelihood; chances
- 明確めいかくN3
clear; precise; definite; distinct
- 確信かくしんN1
conviction; belief; confidence
- 確かめるたしかめるN4
to make sure; to check; to ascertain; to confirm; to verify
- 確かにたしかにN3
surely; certainly
- 確立かくりつN1
establishment; settlement
- 的確てきかくN2
accurate; precise; exact; appropriate; apt; right
- 確かく
certain; definite
- 確証かくしょう
conclusive evidence; positive proof; definite proof; confirmation
- 確執かくしつ
discord; antagonism
- 不確かふたしかN1
unreliable; uncertain; indefinite; unclear
- 確約かくやく
firm promise; definite promise
- 確変かくへん
system by which hitting a certain jackpot increases the probability of hitting the next jackpot (on prepaid card pachinko machines)
- 不正確ふせいかく
inaccurate; incorrect; inexact; imprecise
Study
Etymology
確 combines 石 (stone) with 隺, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of something high or solid. Together they suggest the hardness and certainty of stone.
Meaning mnemonic
Stone (石) is hard and solid. The right side (隺) looks like a tall, firm structure. Imagine a stone pillar that is unshakable—this is the essence of 確: firm, certain, and confirmed.
Reading mnemonic
For カク, picture a solid rock that makes a sharp 'kak' sound when struck: kak -> カク, confirming its hardness.