貢
tribute, support, finance
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- ク
Kun'yomi
- みつ.ぐ
Meaning
貢 centers on giving something of value to a higher authority or cause: paying tribute, offering financial support, or contributing resources.
Most common words using 貢
20 of 25- 貢献こうけんN3
contribution (furthering a goal or cause); services (to a cause)
- 貢ぐみつぐ
to support (someone) financially; to finance; to supply (money); to give (in support)
- 貢こう
tribute
- 年貢ねんぐ
annual tribute; land tax
- 貢ぎみつぎ
tribute (to a monarch, feudal lord, etc.)
- 貢ぎ物みつぎもの
tribute
- 朝貢ちょうこう
bringing tribute
- 入貢にゅうこう
paying tribute
- 国際貢献こくさいこうけん
international contribution; contributing to the wider world
- 幣貢へいこう
offering; tribute
- 年貢の納め時ねんぐのおさめどき
time to pay the piper; time to pay the land tax (in kind)
- 年貢米ねんぐまい
annual rice tax
- 朝貢貿易ちょうこうぼうえき
tributary trade system (of China)
- 来貢らいこう
coming to pay tribute
- 社会貢献しゃかいこうけん
contribution to society
- 貢献利益こうけんりえき
contribution margin; marginal income
- 貢献度こうけんど
degree of contribution
- 貢献者こうけんしゃ
contributor
- 貢租こうそ
annual tax; tribute
- 貢納こうのう
paying a tribute
Study
Etymology
貢 combines 工 (likely a phonetic component) with 貝 (shell, money), suggesting the idea of paying tribute or offering valuables.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 工 looks like a beam or work, and the bottom 貝 is a shell (ancient money). Picture workers carrying shells as tribute to support the ruler.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a tribute of gold coins: the sound 'ko' in gold cues コウ, and the shells (貝) represent the finance.