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Kanji 故: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 故: happenstance, especially, intentionally, reason, cause, circumstances, the late, therefore, consequently

Key takeaways

Kanji 故: happenstance, especially, intentionally, reason, cause, circumstances, the late, therefore, consequently. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N1

Meaning

happenstanceespeciallyintentionallyreasoncausecircumstancesthe latethereforeconsequently

On reading

Kun reading

ゆえふる.いもと

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 故

happenstance, especially, intentionally, reason, cause, circumstances, the late, therefore, consequently

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

古 + 攵

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

By striking or examining (攵) old (古) records, one uncovers the 'reason' or cause behind an event. It also refers to 'the deceased' (the late), as they are now people of the past.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

  • the late (deceased)

  • 故人こじん

    the deceased / departed person

  • 故郷こきょう

    hometown / birthplace / hometown village

  • 故障こしょう

    breakdown / malfunction / failure

  • 事故じこ

    accident / collision

Kun reading

ゆえ
  • 其れ故それゆえ

    therefore / for that reason / so

Commonly used words

  • the late (deceased)

  • 故人
    こじん

    the deceased / departed person

  • 故郷
    こきょう

    hometown / birthplace / hometown village

  • 故障
    こしょう

    breakdown / malfunction / failure

  • 事故
    じこ

    accident / collision

  • 其れ故
    それゆえ

    therefore / for that reason / so

Example sentences

Example 1

これは田中さんの絵です。

Translation

This is a painting by the late Mr. Tanaka.

Example 2

郷に帰りたい気持ち。

Translation

I have a feeling to return to my hometown.

Example 3

人の思い出を語った。

Translation

We talked about memories of the deceased.

Example 4

彼は人の友達でした。

Translation

He was an old friend of the deceased.

Kanji 故: happenstance, especially, intentionally, reason, cause, circumstances, the late, therefore, consequently | Daily Nihongo