こう

こ

う

Meanings

1

usually written using kana alone

Used for something close to the speaker, including the speaker's own actions or opinions. Contrasts with そう (that way) and ああ (that way over there).

Usage patterns

こう〈動どう詞し〉to do (something) in this way
こうすればうまくいくよ。
If you do it this way, it'll work out.
こう〈形けい容よう詞し〉とwhen it's this (much) ~
こう暑あついと外そとに出でたくない。
When it's this hot, I don't want to go outside.
こう言いうto say (something) like this
彼かれはいつもこう言いう。
He always says it like this.
こういう〈物もの〉this kind of ~
こういう本ほんが好すきです。
I like this kind of book.

Expressions

こうしたsuch; this kind of
どうのこうのthis and that; one thing or another

Grammar

こう・そう・ああ・どうThis way, that way, and howN5

Kanji

斯this, thus, such

Related words

かく
こう is the common, everyday word for 'like this', while かく is a formal, literary equivalent mostly seen in set phrases and written language.

Don't confuse with· 5

そうN4sense 1
こう points to something close to the speaker (this way), while そう points to something closer to the listener or already mentioned (that way).
ああN4sense 1
こう refers to a manner close to the speaker, whereas ああ refers to a manner distant from both speaker and listener (over there/that way).
どう sense 1
こう states a specific way close to the speaker, while どう is the question form asking about manner ('how').

Word family

こうしてN2
thus; in this way; like this
こうこう
so and so; such and such
そうこう
this and that; one thing or another

Written forms

こうUsage100%
Standard kana spelling; the kanji form 斯う is rarely used.
斯こうUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners should use the kana spelling.

Etymology

Part of the ko-so-a-do demonstrative system; こう is the adverbial form of the proximal demonstrative こ, indicating manner or degree close to the speaker.

Show 2 more

そうN4
こう points to something close to the speaker or done in the speaker's own way, while そう points to something tied to the listener or the immediate context.
どうN5
どう asks 'how' about something unknown, while こう means 'in this way' referring to something near the speaker or just mentioned.