Meaning
況 has two related meanings: a state or condition of affairs, and the idea of pushing beyond that state — expressed in English as "moreover," "furthermore," or "let alone." Assess a situation, then extend the reasoning one step further — that's the core of this kanji.
況 combines the water radical 氵 (sanzui) on the left with 兄 (elder brother) on the right. Sanzui here suggests flow or a spreading condition, not water literally. 兄 historically implied speaking up — 口 (mouth) sits on top, 儿 (person) below. Together, they suggest a situation being stated aloud: the state of things as reported.
況 has 8 strokes and appears on Japan's Jōyō kanji list at middle school level. It shows up regularly in newspapers, business documents, and formal writing. At JLPT N2, expect it in compounds about situations and conditions, and in written expressions for "furthermore" or "let alone."
For Vietnamese learners, the Hán-Việt reading is HUỐNG. It appears directly in the phrase huống chi (況して), meaning "let alone" or "not to mention" — the same usage as in Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
況 has one on'yomi: コウ. It runs through virtually every compound using this kanji — from casual updates about someone's recent news, to economic vocabulary, to sports commentary.
- 状況 (joukyou) — situation, circumstances, state of affairs
- 実況 (jikkyou) — live coverage, play-by-play, on-the-spot reporting
- 不況 (fukyou) — recession, economic slump
- 好況 (koukyou) — economic boom, favorable conditions
- 近況 (kinkyou) — recent situation, how things have been lately
- 盛況 (seikyou) — thriving state, great turnout, lively success
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
況 has two kun'yomi: まして and いわんや. Both mean "all the more so" or "let alone," but register differently. まして fits everyday written Japanese; いわんや leans classical, appearing in essays, speeches, and proverbs.
- 況て (mashite) — much more so, let alone, all the more (strengthens a preceding statement)
- 況んや (iwanya) — to say nothing of, let alone (formal or literary)
The standard まして construction: AでさえBだ。まして、CはなおさらBだ。 — "Even A is B. Let alone C." This pattern appears frequently in JLPT N2 reading passages and formal essays.
Common Words & Compounds
況 anchors a dense cluster of N2 vocabulary. The コウ reading runs through all of them.
Situation & State:
- 状況 (joukyou) — situation, circumstances; constant in news, business, and daily speech
- 現況 (genkyou) — current situation, present state
- 近況 (kinkyou) — recent news about someone, how things have been
- 景況 (keikyou) — general economic conditions, business climate
- 戦況 (senkyou) — the war situation, progress of a battle
Economic Terms:
- 不況 (fukyou) — recession, economic depression
- 好況 (koukyou) — boom, favorable economic climate
- 盛況 (seikyou) — thriving state, great success (events or businesses)
Media & Reporting:
- 実況 (jikkyou) — live coverage, play-by-play; 実況中継 = live broadcast
Conjunctive & Rhetorical:
- 況て (mashite) — furthermore, let alone
- 況んや (iwanya) — to say nothing of (formal or literary)
Example Sentences
現在の状況を正確に把握することが大切です。
Genzai no joukyou wo seikaku ni haaku suru koto ga taisetsu desu.
Accurately understanding the current situation is essential.
試合の実況をラジオで聞いた。
Shiai no jikkyou wo rajio de kiita.
I caught the live match commentary on the radio.
経済不況のせいで、多くの会社が倒産した。
Keizai fukyou no sei de, ooku no kaisha ga tousan shita.
The recession drove many companies into bankruptcy.
近況を教えてください。
Kinkyou wo oshiete kudasai.
Tell me how things have been going lately.
イベントは盛況のうちに終わった。
Ibento wa seikyou no uchi ni owatta.
The event wrapped up with a great turnout.
大人でさえ難しい。まして子供にはなおさらだ。
Otona de sae muzukashii. Mashite kodomo ni wa naosara da.
Even adults struggle with it. Children find it harder still.
戦況は日々変化している。
Senkyou wa hibi henka shite iru.
The battle situation shifts day by day.
景況が回復すれば、雇用も増えるだろう。
Keikyou ga kaifuku sureba, koyou mo fueru darou.
If economic conditions improve, employment will likely rise too.
現況では、その計画を実行するのは難しい。
Genkyou de wa, sono keikaku wo jikkou suru no wa muzukashii.
Given the current situation, carrying out that plan is difficult.
Memory Tip
Picture an elder brother (兄) standing by a river (氵), raising his voice (口) to report the water level — flooding, calm, running dry. He finishes, then adds: "And moreover (まして), it's even worse downstream!" Water (氵) + elder brother speaking (兄) = the situation, and then some.