刻
KANJI DETAIL
engrave · moment
On readingこく8 strokesN2
Radical 刀 · knifeStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 刻.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- こく
- Kun reading
- None
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
刻has eight strokes and the on-readingこく; the verb刻むis readきざむ. - Basic usage: It appears in words for carving or chopping, a point in time, and seriousness.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Carving and chopping
刻むcan describe carving names on a monument or finely chopping an onion. The material and purpose determine the translation.
- A point in time and seriousness
時刻(じこく)refers to a specific point in time, such as a departure or meeting time, rather than focusing on how long something takes.深刻(しんこく)means that a problem or shortage is serious.