Meaning
The kanji 凶 (きょう) conveys a spectrum of negative concepts. At its core, it signifies 'ominous,' 'misfortune,' 'bad luck,' 'evil,' or simply 'bad.' It carries a strong sense of impending ill-fortune or malevolence, often hinting at an unfortunate outcome or an inherently negative quality.
Unlike kanji that describe a general 'badness,' like 悪 (aku - evil, bad), 凶 often implies something inherently ill-fated, threatening, or harmful. For instance, 悪 could describe a badly behaved child or a bad smell, while 凶 specifically refers to something like a bad harvest (凶作) or an ill omen (凶兆).
Its origin lies in ancient ideography. The character visually depicts a cross (乂) trapped within an enclosure or boundary (凵). This powerful visual representation effectively communicates its meaning. The crossed lines inside the 'box' can symbolize obstruction, conflict, or something going awry. Meanwhile, the surrounding 'box' suggests confinement or a sealed-off situation, making escape difficult. Imagine a path blocked, or a situation where ill fortune is inescapable. This simple yet profound imagery conveys the idea of things being 'crossed out' or inherently 'wrong,' leading to adversity or calamity. It strongly implies an adverse outcome or a malevolent presence.
This kanji has 4 strokes. While deceptively simple in appearance, it is typically encountered at the N1 JLPT level due to its specialized usage in advanced vocabulary and nuanced compounds. Its visual structure directly reflects its meaning, making it memorable once its etymology is understood.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi readings for 凶 are derived from ancient Chinese pronunciations. These are the most common ways this kanji is read, especially when it forms part of compound words.
キョウ (kyō): This is the primary and most frequently encountered on'yomi reading for 凶. It appears in a wide array of words related to negative events, evil deeds, or ominous signs.
凶事 (kyōji) — a misfortune, calamity, or bad event. This refers to any unfortunate occurrence, such as a natural disaster or a personal tragedy.
凶悪 (kyōaku) — atrocious, heinous, or brutal. This describes a particularly evil or violent nature, often used for crimes or criminals (e.g., 凶悪犯 - kyōakuhan, heinous criminal).
凶兆 (kyōchō) — an ill omen or bad sign. This refers to a sign or event that portends misfortune, like a black cat crossing your path.
凶器 (kyōki) — a deadly weapon. This refers specifically to an object used to inflict harm or kill, such as a knife or gun in a crime.
ク (ku): This reading is less common than キョウ. It often appears in specific compounds, particularly when contrasting with its opposite, 吉 (kichi - good luck), or in more historical or specialized terms.
吉凶 (kikkyō) — good or bad luck, fortune. This compound directly juxtaposes good and bad fortune, where 凶 takes the ク reading. It's often used in fortune-telling.
貧凶 (hinku) — poverty and misfortune. This is a less common compound, illustrating the 'ku' reading, especially in historical contexts.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 凶 does not have a commonly recognized standalone kun'yomi (native Japanese reading) in modern usage. While its core meaning can be translated by native Japanese words like わるい (warui - bad) or わるさ (warusa - badness), these are not considered direct kun'yomi readings of the kanji 凶 itself. Therefore, when you encounter 凶, it will almost exclusively appear in its on'yomi forms within compound words.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 凶 is frequently found in a variety of compounds. These often relate to negative events, character traits, or objects used for harm. Understanding these compounds is essential for mastering this N1 kanji.
Related to Misfortune & Omens:
凶事 (kyōji) — misfortune, calamity, a bad event. This term is used for events that bring ill luck or disaster, such as a house fire.
凶兆 (kyōchō) — an ill omen, a bad sign. Something that forebodes misfortune or disaster.
吉凶 (kikkyō) — good or bad luck, fortune. This term is often used when discussing destiny or fortune-telling, like in omikuji.
大凶 (daikyō) — very bad luck. This is commonly seen on omikuji (fortune slips) at shrines and temples, indicating the worst fortune.
凶作 (kyōsa-ku) — a bad harvest, poor crop. Refers to a year or season where agricultural yield is low due to natural factors like drought.
凶年 (kyōnen) — a lean year, a year of bad harvest. Similar to 凶作, but emphasizes the entire year's agricultural outlook.
Related to Evil & Violence:
凶悪 (kyōaku) — atrocious, heinous, brutal. Describes actions or individuals of extreme wickedness, such as a 凶悪な犯罪 (kyōakuna hanzai - heinous crime).
凶器 (kyōki) — a deadly weapon. An object used to inflict severe injury or death.
凶漢 (kyōkan) — a villain, ruffian, or desperado. A term for a wicked or dangerous person.
凶行 (kyōkō) — a brutal act, a heinous crime. Refers to an act of extreme violence or cruelty.
凶弾 (kyōdan) — an assassin's bullet, a deadly bullet. A bullet intended to kill, often in a violent or criminal act.
Other:
凶報 (kyōhō) — bad news, an ominous report. Information that brings tidings of misfortune or disaster.
Example Sentences
おみくじを引いたら、大凶が出たので少し気が重い。
Omikuji o hiitara, daikyō ga deta node sukoshi ki ga omoi.
When I drew an omikuji fortune slip, I got 'very bad luck,' so I feel a bit down.
昨夜、この地域で凶悪な事件が発生したと報道された。
Sakuya, kono chiiki de kyōaku na jiken ga hassei shita to hōdō sareta.
It was reported that a heinous crime occurred in this area last night.
カラスが鳴くのは凶兆だと言う人もいるが、それは迷信だ。
Karasu ga naku no wa kyōchō da to iu hito mo iru ga, sore wa meishin da.
Some people say crows cawing is an ill omen, but that's a superstition.
この森には凶暴な動物が生息しているらしいので、注意が必要だ。
Kono mori ni wa kyōbō na dōbutsu ga seisoku shiteiru rashii node, chūi ga hitsuyō da.
It seems fierce animals inhabit this forest, so caution is necessary.
警察は現場から凶器を発見し、捜査を進めている。
Keisatsu wa genba kara kyōki o hakken shi, sōsa o susumeteiru.
The police discovered the weapon at the scene and are proceeding with the investigation.
彼は凶事を避けるため、神社で祈願した。
Kare wa kyōji o sakeru tame, jinja de kigan shita.
He prayed at the shrine to avoid misfortune.
経済の専門家は、今年は歴史的な凶作になると予測している。
Keizai no senmonka wa, kotoshi wa rekishiteki na kyōsaku ni naru to yosoku shiteiru.
Economic experts predict that this year will see a historic bad harvest.
旅行の出発前に凶報を受け、計画を変更せざるをえなかった。
Ryokō no shuppatsu mae ni kyōhō o uke, keikaku o henkō sezaruoenakatta.
I received bad news before departing on my trip, forcing me to change my plans.
Memory Tip
To remember 凶, visualize its structure: an 'X' (representing something bad or crossed out) trapped inside a 'box' that is open at the top. This imagery directly connects to its meaning of misfortune or ominousness. The 'X' signifies negativity or an error, while the 'box' implies containment, but because it's open, the bad luck or evil isn't fully contained and can still affect its surroundings. Think of it as an "ominous cross" stuck in a "container of doom." The 4 strokes are easy to count: two for the 'box' and two for the 'X', providing a simple yet powerful visual mnemonic for "bad luck" or "calamity."