鵠
swan
Readings
On'yomi
- コク
- コウ
Kun'yomi
- くぐい
- まと
Meaning
鵠 centers on a swan, a large white waterbird. The meaning is specific and concrete, without broad abstract extensions.
Most common words using 鵠
- 鵠くぐい
swan
- 正鵠せいこく
bull's-eye; mark; point
- 正鵠を射るせいこくをいる
to hit the mark; to hit the nail on the head
- 正鵠を得るせいこくをえる
to hit the mark
- 燕雀安んぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんやえんじゃくいずくんぞこうこくのこころざしをしらんや
only a hero can understand a hero; swallows and sparrows can't understand the aspirations of phoenixes and swans
- 燕雀鴻鵠えんじゃくこうこく
how can a small bird (a sparrow, a petty person) understand the aspirations of a great bird (a phoenix); only a hero can understand a hero
- 鴻鵠こうこく
large bird
- 鵠こく
swan
Study
Etymology
鵠 combines 鳥 (bird) with 告, which likely contributes the sound. The character specifically denotes a swan.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 告 (announce) and right side 鳥 (bird) together suggest a bird that announces itself gracefully—a swan gliding on the water.
Reading mnemonic
For コク, imagine a swan pecking at a cork floating on the water: cork -> コク, and the swan's beak taps the cork.