呼 — Call, Invite, Breathe

Meaning

The kanji 呼こ (ko, yobu) fundamentally means “to call,” “to invite,” or “to summon.” It also relates to “breathing.” This eight-stroke kanji is a Grade 6 character, typically learned by Japanese elementary students in their sixth year, and is a standard component of N3 JLPT vocabulary. Its structure offers a clear visual hint about its core functions.

The left-hand radical is 口くち (kuchi), meaning “mouth.” This component immediately suggests actions involving speaking, sound, or air, and is crucial for understanding 呼こ's meaning of vocalizing or expelling air. On the right, we find 乎こ (ko, o, ho). While 乎こ primarily serves as a phonetic component, providing 呼こ its sound, it also historically relates to exclamations or breathing out. This makes it semantically relevant to the kanji's overall meaning. Visually, 呼こ depicts a “mouth” (口くち) engaged in an action of “calling out” or “breathing” (乎こ). This combination perfectly illustrates both summoning someone with your voice and the physical act of respiration. Grasping this composition helps clarify the various nuances of 呼こ, from a simple call to a complex biological process.

Readings

The kanji 呼こ features both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings, used in different contexts. Learning both is essential for a full understanding.

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The primary On'yomi for 呼こ is コ (KO). This reading appears in compound words, particularly those with a formal, technical, or abstract meaning. You'll often find it in terms related to biological processes or formal appellations.

• 呼こ吸きゅう (kokyū) — This is a crucial compound, meaning "breath" or "respiration." It refers to the physiological process of inhaling and exhaling. For example, 深しん呼こ吸きゅう (shinkokyū) means "deep breath."
• 呼こ称しょう (koshō) — Meaning "appellation," "naming," or "designation." It refers to how something or someone is formally called or referred to. For instance, 敬けい称しょう呼こ称しょう (keishōkoshō) means "honorific appellation."
• 点てん呼こ (tenko) — This compound means "roll call" or "muster." It refers to the act of calling out names to check attendance, often in schools or military settings. For instance, 朝あさのの点てん呼こ (asa no tenko) means "morning roll call."

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The main Kun'yomi for 呼こ is よ.ぶ (yobu), used as a verb. This reading covers the direct actions of "to call," "to invite," or "to summon" in daily interactions.

• 呼よぶ (yobu) — This is the base verb form, meaning "to call," "to invite," or "to summon." You can use it for calling a person, a taxi, or even invoking a particular state or situation, like 嵐あらしをを呼よぶ (arashi o yobu, "to call forth a storm"). For example, 友とも達だちをを呼よぶ (tomodachi o yobu) means "to call a friend."
• 呼よび出だす (yobidasu) — A compound verb meaning "to call out," "to summon (from a place)," or "to dial (a phone number)." It implies causing someone or something to appear. For instance, 電でん話わでで彼かれをを呼よび出だす (denwa de kare o yobidasu) means "to call him out by phone."
• 呼よび寄よせる (yobiyoseru) — This verb means "to call over," "to gather," or "to attract." It implies bringing something or someone closer through a call or invitation. For example, 客きゃくをを呼よび寄よせる (kyaku o yobiyoseru) means "to attract customers."

Common Words & Compounds

The kanji 呼こ appears in a wide array of Japanese words and phrases, embodying its diverse meanings of calling, inviting, and breathing. Below are some common examples, grouped to aid your study:

Words Related to Calling and Communication:

• 呼よびかけ (yobikake) — A noun meaning "a call," "an address," or "an appeal." It often refers to someone calling out to get attention.
• 呼よびだし (yobidashi) — A noun meaning "summons," "call," or "bell." It can also refer to a person who summons or calls out, such as a paging service or an announcer.
• 呼よびりん (yobirin) — Meaning "doorbell" or "buzzer." Literally, "calling bell."
• 呼よびとめる (yobitomeru) — A verb meaning "to hail," "to stop (by calling out)," or "to challenge."
• 呼よび込こむ (yobikomu) — A verb meaning "to call in," "to invite in," or "to entice." Often used when calling customers into a shop.
• 呼よびかける (yobikakeru) — A verb meaning "to call out to," "to address," or "to appeal to."
• 呼こ応おう (koō) — A noun/verb meaning "response (to a call)," "to respond," or "to echo." It signifies interaction after a call.

Words Related to Breathing and Physiology:

• 呼こ気き (koki) — Meaning "exhaled breath." This refers specifically to the air breathed out.
• 吸きゅう気き呼こ気き (kyūki koki) — A more technical term meaning "inhalation and exhalation."
• 呼こ吸きゅう器き (kokyūki) — Meaning "respiratory organ." For example, the lungs.
• 人じん工こう呼こ吸きゅう (jinkō kokyū) — Meaning "artificial respiration."

Other Formal/Idiomatic Usages:

• 呼こ名めい (komei) — A formal term for "calling a name," similar to a roll call but can also refer to being called by name.
• 呼よばばれる (yobareru) — The passive form of 呼よぶ, meaning "to be called" or "to be invited."

Example Sentences

Memory Tip

To remember 呼こ, focus on its two components: 口くち (kuchi), meaning "mouth," and 乎こ (ko/ho). While 乎こ is primarily a phonetic component, it also historically represented a breath or exclamation. Imagine a person using their mouth (口くち) to make a sound or exhale a breath (乎こ). You could picture someone opening their mouth wide to "call out" to a friend, or letting out a deep "breath" after a long run. The 口くち radical serves as a strong visual cue for any mouth-related action. When combined with 乎こ, it clearly points to vocalizations like calling or physical exhalations. A simple way to remember it is: "A mouth makes a sound (乎こ) to call or breathe."