Meaning
The kanji 工 (kō, takumi) primarily means craft, construction, work, and skill. It's a fundamental character, appearing in countless words related to industry, engineering, and craftsmanship. Essentially, 工 represents the act of skillfully making or building something with dedicated effort.
Its origin is believed to be a pictograph depicting a carpenter's square, a construction tool, or perhaps even a workbench. Its simple, yet powerful, form—two horizontal lines connected by a vertical stroke—evokes an object designed for precision and utility. The top and bottom lines can be seen as the two arms of a measuring tool, or a ceiling and a floor being joined by a pillar. This visual directly connects to concepts of measurement, building, and skilled labor—ideas central to its diverse meanings.
When you encounter 工, picture someone meticulously creating or fixing something, whether it's a delicate craft item or a large-scale construction project. It embodies human ingenuity and the effort poured into physical creation. Composed of just three strokes, this kanji is relatively simple to write and remember. As a Grade 2 kanji, it's taught in elementary school in Japan, reflecting its fundamental and widespread use.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi are Chinese-derived readings. For 工, the main on'yomi are コウ (KŌ) and ク (KU).
コウ (KŌ)
This is the most common on'yomi for 工. It's frequently used in compound words related to industry, construction, engineering, and skilled labor.
- 工事 (kōji) — construction work. This term refers to the process of building or repairing structures.
- 工場 (kōjō) — factory. A place where goods are manufactured or processed.
- 工業 (kōgyō) — manufacturing industry. This refers to the sector involved in producing goods.
ク (KU)
The reading ク is less common, but it appears in specific compound words. It often carries a nuance of intricate work or devising a plan.
- 細工 (saiku) — craftsmanship, fine work, elaborate work. This term emphasizes intricate or delicate construction.
- 工面 (kumen) — raising money, contriving, arranging. This term, though not about physical craft, implies the skillful "work" of managing resources.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings.
たくみ (takumi)
This is the primary kun'yomi for 工 and specifically refers to an artisan, master craftsman, or skill itself. It evokes a sense of expertise and dedication to a craft.
- 工 (takumi) — artisan, master craftsman. Often used to refer to a person highly skilled in a particular craft. It can also be a personal name.
Common Words & Compounds
Explore more common words and compounds featuring 工, categorized to help you grasp their diverse applications:
- Related to Construction & Industry:
- 工事 (kōji) — construction work, engineering work. (e.g., 道路工事 - road construction)
- 工場 (kōjō) — factory, plant, mill. (e.g., 自動車工場 - car factory)
- 工業 (kōgyō) — manufacturing industry. (e.g., 軽工業 - light industry)
- 大工 (daiku) — carpenter. (lit. "great artisan")
- 土木工事 (doboku kōji) — civil engineering work. This refers to large-scale infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and dams.
- Related to Skill & Craftsmanship:
- 加工 (kakō) — processing, manufacturing, working on. (e.g., 食品加工 - food processing)
- 細工 (saiku) — craftsmanship, fine work, elaborate work. (e.g., 木材細工 - woodworking)
- 人工 (jinkō) — artificial, man-made. (e.g., 人工知能 - artificial intelligence)
- 工夫 (kufū) — contrivance, device, scheme; ingenuity; to devise. (e.g., 工夫を凝らす - to use ingenuity)
- Related to Engineering & Workers:
- 工学 (kōgaku) — engineering (as a field of study). (e.g., 建築工学 - architectural engineering)
- 工員 (kōin) — factory worker, operative.
- 技術工 (gijutsukō) — technician, skilled worker. This term refers to someone with specialized technical skills.
- 理工学 (rikōgaku) — science and engineering. A broad academic field.
Example Sentences
駅前で新しいビルの工事が始まりました。
Ekimae de atarashii biru no kōji ga hajimarimashita.
Construction work for a new building has started in front of the station.
この工場では自動的にロボットが製品を作っています。
Kono kōjō de wa jidōteki ni robotto ga seihin o tsukutteimasu.
In this factory, robots automatically make products.
あの大工さんは木の細工がとても得意です。
Ano daiku-san wa ki no saiku ga totemo tokui desu.
That carpenter is very skilled at woodworking.
レポートの書き方を少し工夫してみました。
Repōto no kakikata o sukoshi kufū shite mimashita.
I tried to be a little creative (devise a plan) with how I wrote the report.
日本の工業製品は質が高いことで有名です。
Nihon no kōgyō seihin wa shitsu ga takai koto de yūmei desu.
Japanese industrial products are famous for their high quality.
この機械は人間の手で加工されています。
Kono kikai wa ningen no te de kakō sareteimasu.
This machine is processed by human hands.
彼は大学で工学を専攻しています。
Kare wa daigaku de kōgaku o senkō shiteimasu.
He is majoring in engineering at university.
人工知能は私達の生活を変えています。
Jinkō chinō wa watashitachi no seikatsu o kaeteimasu.
Artificial intelligence is changing our lives.
道路工事中なので、注意してください。
Dōro kōjichū nanode, chūi shite kudasai.
Please be careful, as road construction is underway.
その職人はまさに工の技を持っています。
Sono shokunin wa masa ni takumi no waza o motteimasu.
That craftsman truly possesses the skill of a master.
Related Kanji
- 便 — Convenience, Facility, Communication (Kanji N4)
- 近 — Near, Close, Recent (Kanji N4)
- 建 — Build, Construct, Establish (Kanji N4)
- 力 — Power, Strength, Force (Kanji N4)
- 色 — Color, Expression, Appearance (Kanji N4)
- 肉 — Meat, Flesh, Physicality (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To easily remember the kanji 工 (craft, work), visualize it as a simple representation of a construction tool or a workbench. The two horizontal lines can represent the top and bottom surfaces of a workbench, or two pieces of wood being joined. The vertical line cutting through the middle symbolizes the tool being used – perhaps a saw cutting through wood, a pillar supporting a structure, or a ruler/square for precise measurement. This visual image directly connects to the ideas of making, building, and the skilled work required in crafts or construction. Imagine a carpenter diligently working at their bench, and you'll easily recall 工.