こけ

こ

け

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

A somewhat old-fashioned or literary word for a foolish person or foolishness. Often used in set phrases like 虚仮にする (to make a fool of) or 虚仮の一念 (a fool's single-mindedness).

彼かれは人ひとをこけにするような言いい方かたをした。
He spoke in a way that made a fool of others.
「こけの一いち念ねん」ということわざがある。
There is a proverb: 'Even a fool has one good idea.'

Expressions

コケにするmake a fool of; look down on; treat with contempt
虚こ仮けの後あと思じ案あんhindsight is 20-20 (even for a fool)

Kanji

虚void, emptiness, unpreparedness
仮sham, temporary, interim

Related words

ばかN3
馬鹿 is the common, everyday word for a fool or idiot, while 虚仮 is an old-fashioned, literary term mostly seen in set phrases.
アホN1
阿呆 is a colloquial word for a fool (especially common in Kansai speech), whereas 虚仮 is a rarer, more literary term for foolishness.
愚おろか者もの
愚か者 is a formal, literary compound meaning 'foolish person', similar in register to 虚仮 but used as a standalone noun rather than mainly in fixed phrases.

Don't confuse with

苔こけ
苔 (moss) is pronounced identically to 虚仮 (fool) but is a completely unrelated botanical term.

Word family

こけおどし
empty threat; bluff; paper tiger

Written forms

こけUsage10%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 虚仮 is rare.
コケUsage82%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
虚こ仮けUsage8%
Kanji form is uncommon; learners will almost always encounter the kana spelling.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 虚 (empty) and 仮 (temporary) suggest something insubstantial or false, but the word itself may predate the kanji assignment.