Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of tree and old. Old tree.
Symbolism
Wither, deplete, old tree. Represents drying up.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Expanse of the sea
Component Breakdown
tree + 古
Words & Expressions
Words written with 枯
Four-Character Compounds
栄枯盛衰
えいこせいすい
ups and downs of life; vicissitudes of fortune
枯木寒巌
こぼくかんがん
withered trees and frozen rocks; a person that is hard to approach
枯木死灰
こぼくしかい
withered trees and cold ash; someone who is detached and free of desires; someone who has no vitality
Proverbs & Idioms
枯れ木も山の賑わい
かれきもやまのにぎわい
Even dead trees add life to the mountain
Better to have something than nothing
Poetry
旅に病んで夢は枯野をかけ廻る
Ill on a journey, and my dream goes running over withered fields.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 枯 mean in Japanese?
枯 means wither, die, dry up, be seasoned.
How do you read 枯?
On'yomi: コ (KO). Kun'yomi: か.れる、か.らす (kareru, karasu).
How many strokes does 枯 have?
枯 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 木 (tree).
Is 枯 a good kanji for a tattoo?
枯 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means wither, die, dry up, be seasoned. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.