Meaning
The kanji 去 (kyō, ko, sa.ru) conveys the core meanings of "to leave," "to go away," "past," and "to remove" or "eliminate." It suggests that something is no longer present, whether it's physically departing, being eliminated, or referring to a period of time that has already elapsed.
While its visual origin is debated, 去 is often linked to the idea of departure. One interpretation suggests it depicts a large mouth or an opening (an older form of 口, or a space) from which something is moving away, represented by the bottom stroke. Another theory views it as a simplified pictograph of a person (like 大) moving away from a dwelling or a place, or perhaps a foot (厶) moving away from the ground (土). The modern form, with its simple, clean strokes, has abstracted these origins but retains the essence of movement away from a point, or the passage of time.
Its primary sense of "leaving" or "going away" can apply to people, objects, or even abstract concepts like feelings or problems. In compounds, it frequently indicates that an event is complete or in the past, or that something is being removed. Grasping this core concept of "being gone" or "passing by" is key to understanding 去's many applications.
With 5 strokes, 去 is taught in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary schools. This reflects its relatively simple structure and frequent use in daily conversation.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi readings for 去 come from ancient Chinese pronunciations and are primarily used in compound words. The most common on'yomi are キョ and コ.
キョ (kyō): This is the more common on'yomi, often appearing in words about the past or removal. It conveys a sense of something being over, gone, or taken away.
過去 (kako) — This word means "past" and is one of the most common applications of the キョ reading. It refers to time that has already passed.
去年 (kyonen) — Meaning "last year," this compound is essential for temporal references. It combines 去 (past/gone) with 年 (year).
除去 (jokyo) — This term means "removal" or "elimination." We use it when something is taken away or gotten rid of, for instance, removing stains or obstacles.
コ (ko): While less common in modern everyday Japanese, the コ reading appears in more literary or archaic compounds. It often carries a similar nuance of passing or going.
去来 (korai) — A somewhat literary term meaning "coming and going," or "past and future." It describes the flow of events or time, emphasizing movement through a period.
Although other words use the コ reading, they are far less frequent in common usage than those with キョ. For JLPT N4 learners, prioritizing キョ will be more practical.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi for 去 is さ.る (saru), a versatile and frequently used native Japanese verb meaning "to leave," "to go away," "to depart," or "to remove."
さ.る (sa.ru): This is the base form, 去る. It can refer to literally leaving a place or, more abstractly, leaving a condition or a relationship.
去る (saru) — "To leave," "to go away." For example, 彼は部屋を去った (Kare wa heya o satta) means "He left the room." It can also mean to remove, as in 厄介な仕事を去る (yakkai na shigoto o saru) - "to get rid of troublesome work."
立ち去る (tachisaru) — This compound verb emphasizes 'standing up and leaving' or 'departing,' often implying a more definitive or immediate exit.
去り際 (sarigiwa) — Meaning "the moment of departure," this noun refers to the precise time when someone is about to leave or has just left.
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common words and compounds using 去, grouped for easier understanding:
Time-Related Terms
- 過去 (kako) — the past, bygone days. This is a key word for discussing history or past events.
- 去年 (kyonen) — last year. A common temporal reference for daily conversation.
- 一昨年 (ototoshi) — the year before last. Note its irregular kun'yomi-based reading, even though it includes an on'yomi kanji.
- 去年中 (kyonenjū) — throughout last year. Refers to the entirety of the previous year.
Action & Movement-Related Terms
- 去る (saru) — (verb) to leave, to go away, to depart; also, to remove, to get rid of. This is the core kun'yomi verb.
- 立ち去る (tachisaru) — (verb) to leave, to depart, to walk away. Emphasizes physically leaving a place.
- 除去 (jokyo) — (noun, verb) removal, elimination, getting rid of. Often used for removing physical objects or abstract problems.
- 去勢 (kyosei) — (noun, verb) castration, neutering. A specific application of 'removal' in a biological context.
Abstract & Figurative Terms
- 去就 (kyoshū) — one's course of action, one's future; coming and going. Often refers to one's decision about staying in or leaving a position.
- 去来 (korai) — coming and going; past and future. A more poetic term, describing the flow of existence.
- 死去 (shikyo) — (noun, verb) death, demise (formal). A formal, respectful term for someone passing away.
- 過去形 (kakokei) — past tense (grammar). An essential term for Japanese grammar study.
- 去り方 (sarikata) — way of leaving. Describes the manner or way someone departs.
Example Sentences
彼は静かに部屋を去った。
Kare wa shizuka ni heya o satta.
He quietly left the room.
過去を振り返るのは時に大切だ。
Kako o furikaeru no wa toki ni taisetsu da.
It is sometimes important to look back on the past.
去年は大変な一年だったが、今年はもっと良くなるだろう。
Kyonen wa taihen na ichinen datta ga, kotoshi wa motto yoku narō.
Last year was a difficult year, but this year will probably be better.
このシミを除去する方法を知っていますか。
Kono shimi o jokyo suru hōhō o shitte imasu ka?
Do you know how to remove this stain?
その事件は遠い過去の出来事となった。
Sono jiken wa tōi kako no dekigoto to natta.
That incident became a distant event of the past.
バスが駅を去るまで、あと5分だ。
Basu ga eki o saru made, ato go-fun da.
There are 5 minutes left until the bus leaves the station.
新しいルールが問題を除去してくれることを願っている。
Atarashii rūru ga mondai o jokyo shite kureru koto o negatte iru.
I hope the new rules will eliminate the problems.
その鳥は冬が来る前に南へ去る。
Sono tori wa fuyu ga kuru mae ni minami e saru.
That bird leaves for the south before winter comes.
Related Kanji
- 弟 — Younger Brother, Junior (Kanji N4)
- 以 — By Means Of, With, From (Kanji N4)
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
- 短 — Short, brief, defect (Kanji N4)
- 田 — Rice Field (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 去, visualize its components. The top part can be seen as a simplified representation of a gate or a place, like a roof with walls (similar to the top of 土). The bottom part, 厶, resembles a bent leg or a person’s foot in motion. You can imagine a person's foot or leg moving away from a gate or a place, hence "to leave" or "to go away."
Another way is to think of 土 (earth/ground) and 厶 (private/myself), leading to a story like: "I (厶) decide to leave my own plot of land (土)." This mnemonic emphasizes separating oneself from a location or situation, directly connecting to the core meaning of departure and being gone.