Meaning
The N1 kanji 呉 (go, kure) holds a rich and varied meaning in Japanese, deeply connected to its historical roots in ancient China. Its most prominent meaning refers to the Wu kingdom, one of the Three Kingdoms period states (229–280 AD) located in the lower Yangtze River region. This historical association extends to cultural elements, notably in the term 呉服 (gofuku), which refers to traditional Japanese clothing and fabrics, originally thought to be imported from or influenced by the Wu region.
Beyond its historical geographical sense, 呉 also serves as the root for the common Japanese verb 呉れる (kureru), meaning “to give” (specifically to the speaker or someone in the speaker's in-group). While the visual connection to "giving" might not be immediately obvious, this is a key usage in modern Japanese. The character also appears in proper nouns, such as the name of 呉市 (Kure City) in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
The etymology of 呉 is quite fascinating. It consists of two fundamental components: 口 (kuchi, meaning “mouth” or “opening”) at the top, and 止 (tomaru, meaning “to stop” or “foot”) at the bottom. One theory suggests it depicts a person making a loud declaration or standing at a boundary. Another interpretation sees it as a phonetic loan character, where its form was adopted to represent the sound 'wu' for the kingdom. Over time, the character evolved to encompass meanings related to crossing, giving, and the Wu kingdom itself. The character has 7 strokes and, as an N1 kanji, does not belong to the standard elementary school kanji grades.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi readings of 呉 are primarily used in compound words and reflect its historical origins.
- ゴ (Go)
This is the most common and widely used on'yomi for 呉. It frequently appears in terms related to the ancient Chinese state of Wu, historical events, and cultural items associated with that region. It often carries a sense of tradition and history.
呉服 (gofuku) — traditional Japanese clothes; kimono fabrics (lit. "Wu clothes")
呉越同舟 (goetsu doushuu) — (idiom) enemies in the same boat; rivals in a common cause (derived from a historical anecdote about the states of Wu and Yue)
呉音 (goon) — Wu sound (a specific historical system of kanji pronunciation introduced to Japan)
ク (Ku)
The reading ク is significantly rarer in modern Japanese usage. It is primarily found in very old historical texts, classical literature, or extremely specific proper nouns that have preserved this archaic pronunciation. For practical purposes, learners will encounter ゴ much more frequently. Modern Japanese has no common compound words that prominently use the ク reading, making it largely irrelevant for everyday communication.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading connects 呉 to native Japanese vocabulary, predominantly through the verb "to give."
- くれ (kure)
While 呉 itself rarely stands alone with this reading in a noun context, it is the root form of the very common Japanese verb 呉れる (kureru), meaning "to give (to the speaker or someone in the speaker's in-group)." This is a crucial distinction from verbs like 与える (ataeru) or 差し上げる (sashiageru). 呉れる specifically indicates that the giving action is directed towards the speaker or someone in their close circle. The character is also used phonetically in the place name 呉市.
- 呉れる (kureru) — to give (to the speaker/in-group)
- 呉々 (kuregure) — repeatedly; earnestly; sincerely (often used as an adverb in polite requests or greetings, e.g., 呉々もよろしくお願い致します)
- 呉れ物 (kuremono) — something given; a present (less common than 贈り物, but occasionally encountered)
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some essential words and compounds featuring the kanji 呉, categorized for easier understanding:
- Historical & Cultural Terms:
- 呉服 (gofuku) — traditional Japanese clothes; kimono fabrics. This term highlights the historical trade and cultural exchange with the Wu region of China, known for its fine textiles.
- 呉越同舟 (goetsu doushuu) — (idiom) enemies in the same boat; rivals in a common cause. This vivid idiom comes from ancient Chinese history, referring to the rivalry between the states of Wu and Yue.
- 呉春 (Goshun) — A renowned Japanese painter (1752–1811) who founded the Shijō school of painting during the Edo period. This is a significant proper noun in art history.
- Geographical & Place Names:
- 呉市 (Kure-shi) — Kure City. A major port city in Hiroshima Prefecture, famous for its naval history, shipbuilding, and industrial heritage. Its name uses the kun'yomi reading.
- Verbal & Adverbial Usage:
- 呉れる (kureru) — to give (to the speaker or their in-group). This is a fundamental and frequently used verb in Japanese for expressing the action of giving directed towards oneself or one's close circle.
- 呉々も (kureguremo) — earnestly; sincerely; repeatedly. Often used at the beginning of polite requests or expressions of goodwill, such as "Please give my regards" or "Please be sure to..."
- Food & Culinary:
- 呉汁 (gojiru) — Miso soup with ground soybeans. A hearty and nutritious regional Japanese dish, often consumed in colder months, where raw, soaked soybeans are ground and added to a miso soup base.
- Specialized & Less Common:
- 呉服屋 (gofukuya) — kimono shop; draper's shop. A specific type of store specializing in 呉服.
- 呉服店 (gofukuten) — kimono shop; drapery store. Similar to 呉服屋, offering traditional Japanese clothing.
- 呉音 (goon) — Wu sound. A historical layer of kanji pronunciation in Japanese, distinct from the later 漢音 (kan'on), reflecting different periods of cultural exchange with China.
Example Sentences
友達が私に素敵な絵を呉れました。
Tomodachi ga watashi ni suteki na e o kuremashita.
My friend gave me a wonderful painting.
祖母はいつも美しい呉服を着て、お茶を点てます。
Sobo wa itsumo utsukushii gofuku o kite, ocha o tatemasu.
My grandmother always wears beautiful traditional Japanese clothing and prepares tea.
旅行のお土産を呉れて、本当にありがとう。
Ryokō no omiyage o kurete, hontō ni arigatō.
Thank you so much for giving me a souvenir from your trip.
呉市は造船業が盛んで、歴史的な軍港としても知られています。
Kure-shi wa zōsen-gyō ga sakande, rekishi-teki na gunko to shite mo shirareteimasu.
Kure City thrives in shipbuilding and is also known as a historical naval port.
呉々も無理をなさらないよう、ご自愛ください。
Kureguremo muri o nasaranai yō, gojiai kudasai.
Please take good care of yourself and don't overexert yourself, I earnestly ask.
このプロジェクトは、まさに呉越同舟の状況だ。
Kono purojekuto wa, masa ni goetsu dōshū no jōkyō da.
This project is truly a situation of "enemies in the same boat."
冬には体が温まるように、よく呉汁を作って呉れます。
Fuyu ni wa karada ga atatamaru yō ni, yoku gojiru o tsukutte kuremasu.
In winter, she often makes gojiru (soybean miso soup) for me to warm my body.
先生は私に貴重なアドバイスをたくさん呉れました。
Sensei wa watashi ni kichō na adobaisu o takusan kuremashita.
My teacher gave me a lot of valuable advice.
彼女は呉服店で働きながら、着物の歴史を学んでいます。
Kanojo wa gofukuten de hatarakinagara, kimono no rekishi o manandeimasu.
While working at a kimono store, she is learning about the history of kimonos.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 呉, think of its components: 口 (kuchi, mouth) on top and 止 (tomaru, stop/foot) on the bottom. Imagine a messenger from the ancient Wu kingdom. He travels far, using his 'feet' (止) to reach his destination. Upon arrival, he 'stops' (止) and opens his 'mouth' (口) to 'give' his message or deliver goods. The action of 'giving' is often associated with presenting something with one's mouth or voice, and the 'stop' signifies the culmination of the journey or the presentation itself. Alternatively, visualize someone standing with their 'mouth' open, perhaps about to shout or declare, before they 'stop' their movement, as if delivering something important. This story helps connect the visual elements to the core meanings of the Wu kingdom and the act of giving.