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JLPT N19画 · 9 strokesradical 子freq #1239

orphan, alone

On'yomi (音読み)

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

An orphan child is alone under a heavy, cold '子' (child) shadow, reminding us of the loneliness associated with the kanji 孤.

About this kanji

The kanji 孤, pronounced 'ko,' means 'alone' or 'orphan.' It is typically used in nouns, describing things related to isolation or solitude. For example, 孤児 (こじ, koji) means 'orphan,' referring to a child without parents. Another compound is 孤独 (こどく, kodoku), which translates to 'solitude,' highlighting a state of being alone. 孤立 (こりつ, koritsu) means 'isolation,' often used in contexts where something is separated from others. It's important to note that while 孤 conveys a sense of being alone, it often carries a connotation of loneliness or a lack of connection with others.

Example sentences

  • 彼は孤独を愛する。

    He loves solitude.

Meanings across languages

English
orphan, alone
Tiếng Việt
mồ côi, cô độc
日本語
孤, 一人
한국어
고아, 혼자
中文
孤儿, 孤独
id
anak yatim, sendiri
th
เด็กกำพร้า, โดดเดี่ยว
es
huérfano, solo
fr
orphelin, seul
de
Waisenkind, allein
pt
órfão, sozinho

Common compounds

  • 孤児こじorphan, person without friends
  • 孤独こどくsolitude, loneliness, isolation
  • 孤立こりつisolation, being alone, being friendless
  • 孤児院こじいんorphanage
  • 孤島ことうsolitary island, isolated island
  • 孤高ここうaloof, proudly independent, standing apart
  • 孤軍奮闘こぐんふんとうfighting alone
  • 遺孤いこorphan

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