郷
ご
う
Meanings
1
countryside; rural area; hometown
Refers to one's native place or the countryside in general. Often used in literary or nostalgic contexts, and in compounds like 郷土 (きょうど) or 故郷 (ふるさと).
He left his hometown and works in the city.
This area is filled with peaceful rural scenery.
2
50-home township (historical unit)
Historical administrative unit consisting of about 50 households, made up of 2-3 neighbourhoods. Part of the 郷里制 (ごうりせい) system. Rare in modern usage; mainly encountered in historical contexts.
See also: 郷里制
In the ancient township system, a 郷 consisted of fifty households.
Expressions
- 郷に入れば郷に従えwhen in Rome, do as the Romans do
- 郷に入っては郷に従えwhen in Rome, do as the Romans do