工
craft · construction · katakana e radical (no. 48)
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of tool (ruler or square). Skill, craftsman.
Symbolism
Construction, industry, artificial. Represents technology and manufacturing.
Words & Expressions
Words written with 工
Four-Character Compounds
士農工商
しのうこうしょう
hierarchy of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants in Edo society
同工異曲
どうこういきょく
equal workmanship but different style
裏面工作
りめんこうさく
string-pulling; backstage manoeuvering (maneuvering)
創意工夫
そういくふう
ingenuity; inventiveness; creative originality
偽装工作
ぎそうこうさく
diversionary tactics (maneuvering); disguise; hide by camouflage
異曲同工
いきょくどうこう
different in appearance but essentially the same in content; equal in skills or workmanship but different in style or artistic flavor; the same for all practical purposes
Proverbs & Idioms
工夫を凝らす
くふうをこらす
To devise creative solutions
Thinking carefully to find improvements
Anime & Manga
アリスとテレスのまぼろし工場
maboroshi
A well-known work with 工 in its Japanese title.
勘違いの工房主～英雄パーティの元雑用係が、実は戦闘以外がSSSランクだったというよくある話～
The Unaware Atelier Meister
A well-known work with 工 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 工 mean in Japanese?
工 means craft, construction, katakana e radical (no. 48).
How do you read 工?
On'yomi: コウ、ク、グ (KOU, KU, GU).
How many strokes does 工 have?
工 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 工 (work).
Is 工 a good kanji for a tattoo?
工 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means craft, construction, katakana e radical (no. 48). Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:craft