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On'yomi
ノウ
NOU
Kun'yomi
よ.く・あた.う
yoku / atau

ability · talent · skill · capacity

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Details

Strokes10
Frequency#273
Radicalmeat(6)

Stroke Order

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Strokes10

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of phonetics. Ability to compare.

Symbolism

Ability, possible, Noh drama. Represents ability.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • Bustle of the city

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

全知全能

ぜんちぜんのう

omniscience and omnipotence; omniscience and omnipotence

帰巣本能

きそうほんのう

homing instinct; homing instinct

無為無能

むいむのう

idle and incompetent; accomplishing nothing significant nor being capable of doing so; lacking the talent to do anything but idle away one's time; idle and incompetent

一芸一能

いちげいいちのう

(excelling in) one area or skill; (being skilled or gifted in) one certain area; (excelling in) one area or skill

再起不能

さいきふのう

being beyond recovery; having no hope of recovery; being beyond recovery

良知良能

りょうちりょうのう

one's innate intelligence and ability; one's innate intelligence and ability

Proverbs & Idioms

能ある鷹は爪を隠す

のうあるたかはつめをかくす

A capable hawk hides its talons

True ability doesn't need to be shown off