Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of hire and head. Looking by turning head.
Symbolism
Customer, retrospect, adviser. Represents looking back.
Component Breakdown
雇 + head
Words & Expressions
Words written with 顧
Four-Character Compounds
右顧左眄
うこさべん
inability to make up one's mind due to worrying about how others will think; hesitation; wavering
左顧右眄
さこうべん
looking right and left or all about; vacillation
脚下照顧
きゃっかしょうこ
look carefully where your own footsteps fall; seek enlightenment by knowing yourself and not by watching others; know thyself
一顧傾城
いっこけいせい
woman so glamorous as to bring ruin to a country (castle) as its king (lord) is captivated by her beauty; femme fatale
Proverbs & Idioms
顧みて他を言う
かえりみてたをいう
Looking back while talking about others
Criticizing others while ignoring your own faults
Other kanji with the same meaning
“review”
“turn around”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 顧 mean in Japanese?
顧 means look back, review, examine oneself, turn around.
How do you read 顧?
On'yomi: コ (KO). Kun'yomi: かえり.みる (kaerimiru).
How many strokes does 顧 have?
顧 has 21 strokes. Its radical is 頁 (page).
Is 顧 a good kanji for a tattoo?
顧 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means look back, review, examine oneself, turn around. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:review · turn around