Meaning
The kanji 具 (gu) is a versatile character with core meanings that include 'tool,' 'implement,' 'article,' 'ingredient,' and the concept of 'providing' or 'being equipped with.' It often appears in words related to physical objects or abstract concepts of completeness and specificity.
Its etymology offers a fascinating insight into its meaning. The character's form is believed to be an ideogram depicting a tool or vessel (originally resembling a tripod cauldron, 鼎). This vessel is then placed inside an enclosure or frame (冂). This visual immediately conveys the idea of an item being 'contained,' 'prepared,' or 'furnished.' Although the internal component simplified over time, the core sense of something being a 'tool' or an 'item provided' within a specific setting has persisted.
When you encounter 具, consider it as something functional serving a purpose. This could be a physical tool, a component of a larger whole (like an ingredient in a dish), or even an abstract quality someone possesses. Ultimately, it encapsulates the idea of being complete, concrete, or properly supplied.
This kanji has 8 strokes and is considered an S-grade kanji, meaning it is typically learned in secondary school in Japan rather than a specific elementary school grade.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 具 is グ (gu). This reading is by far the most common and appears in the vast majority of compound words involving 具. It consistently conveys the meanings of 'tool,' 'item,' 'concrete,' or 'equipment.'
- 具体 (gutai) — This word means 'concrete,' 'specific,' or 'tangible.' It's used to describe something that is clear and not abstract.
例：具体的な意見 (gutaiteki na iken) — concrete opinion
- 道具 (dōgu) — Meaning 'tool,' 'implement,' or 'utensil.' This is a fundamental word for any kind of instrument used for work or daily tasks.
例：便利な道具 (benri na dōgu) — convenient tool
- 家具 (kagu) — This refers to 'furniture.' It literally means 'household implements' and includes items like chairs, tables, beds, etc.
例：新しい家具 (atarashii kagu) — new furniture
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings of 具 are less common in everyday written Japanese compared to the On'yomi, as other kanji often take precedence for similar meanings (e.g., 備 for 'prepare'). However, they exist and carry nuanced meanings:
- そなえる (sonaeru) — This reading means 'to furnish,' 'to equip,' or 'to provide.' While often written with 備える, 具える can be used to imply possessing certain qualities or talents.
例：才能を具えている (sainō o sonaete iru) — to possess talent
- そなわる (sonawaru) — This is the intransitive form of そなえる, meaning 'to be equipped with,' 'to be furnished with,' or 'to be endowed with.' Again, 備わる is more common, but 具わる emphasizes an inherent quality.
例：品格が具わる (hinkaku ga sonawaru) — to be endowed with dignity
- つぶさに (tsubusani) — This reading is used as an adverb, meaning 'in detail,' 'thoroughly,' or 'minutely.' It's typically written as 具に.
例：具に説明する (tsubusani setsumei suru) — to explain in detail
Common Words & Compounds
Below are common words and compounds using 具, categorized by their thematic usage:
Tools & Equipment (道具・器具)
- 道具 (dōgu) — Tool, implement, utensil. A general term for any item used to perform a task.
- 家具 (kagu) — Furniture. Items like tables, chairs, beds found in a home.
- 器具 (kigu) — Apparatus, instrument, equipment. Often refers to more specialized tools or devices.
- 用具 (yōgu) — Implement, utensil, tool. Similar to 道具, often used for specific purposes (e.g., 運動用具 - sports equipment).
- 工具 (kōgu) — Tool (especially for handicrafts, mechanical work, or construction).
- 文房具 (bunbōgu) — Stationery. Items like pens, paper, notebooks used for writing.
- 絵の具 (enogu) — Paints, colors (for art).
Specificity & Concreteness (具体性)
- 具体 (gutai) — Concrete, specific, tangible. The opposite of abstract.
- 具体例 (gutairei) — Concrete example. A specific instance used to illustrate a point.
- 具現化 (gugenka) — Embodiment, materialization, realization. The act of making an idea or concept concrete.
- 具体性 (gutaisei) — Concreteness, specificity. The quality of being clear and specific.
Ingredients & Provisions (具材・具備)
- 具材 (guzai) — Ingredients (for a dish or soup). The components that make up a meal.
- 具備 (gubi) — Provision, equipment, furnishing. Often used in formal or legal contexts to mean having all necessary items or conditions.
Formal & Reporting (具申)
- 具申 (gushin) — Report, representation (to a superior). A formal act of reporting or suggesting something.
Example Sentences
この仕事には特別な道具が必要です。
Kono shigoto ni wa tokubetsu na dōgu ga hitsuyō desu.
This job requires special tools.
私は新しい家具を買って部屋を飾りました。
Watashi wa atarashii kagu o katte heya o kazarimashita.
I bought new furniture and decorated my room.
ラーメンの具材は何にしますか。
Rāmen no guzai wa nani ni shimasu ka?
What ingredients would you like for your ramen?
もっと具体的な提案をしてください。
Motto gutaiteki na teian o shite kudasai.
Please make a more concrete proposal.
彼は指導力と実行力を具えている。
Kare wa shidōryoku to jikkōryoku o sonaete iru.
He possesses both leadership and executive abilities.
先生は事件の経緯を具に語った。
Sensei wa jiken no ikisatsu o tsubusani katatta.
The teacher narrated the full details of the incident.
全の条件が具備されていることを確認してください。
Subete no jōken ga gubi sarete iru koto o kakunin shite kudasai.
Please confirm that all conditions are met.
新しい製品の開発はまだ具体化されていない。
Atarashii seihin no kaihatsu wa mada gutaika sarete inai.
The development of the new product has not yet been concretized.
子供たちは絵の具で楽しく絵を描いた。
Kodomo-tachi wa enogu de tanoshiku e o kaita.
The children happily drew pictures with paints.
彼には会社を率いるに足る資質が具っている。
Kare ni wa kaisha o hikiiru ni taru shishitsu ga sonawatte iru.
He possesses the qualities sufficient to lead a company.
Memory Tip
To remember 具, think of it as a 'tool' inside a 'box.' The outermost part, 冂 (けいがまえ), looks like an enclosure or a box. The interior part (which has evolved significantly from its original form) can be visualized as a simplified representation of an item or a tool. Imagine a craftsman carefully placing their favorite 'tool' into its 'box' for safekeeping, ensuring it is always 'furnished' and ready for use. This visual connection—a 'tool in a container'—effectively reinforces its core meanings of 'tool,' 'implement,' and 'provision.'