Japanese word

こう

Pronunciation

Romajikō

Meaning

  • adverblike this

Example

私はこう言います。watashi wa kō i i ma su

I say it like this.

Illustration for こう (like this)

More examples

先生はこう言います。sen sei wa kō i i ma su

The teacher says it like this.

料理はこうして作ります。ryō ri wa kō shi te tsuku ri ma su

This is how you make the dish.

Core concept

Points to a way of doing or saying something that is close to the speaker's current explanation or example.

Common phrases

  • こう言うkō i u

    say it like this

  • こう思うkō omo u

    think this way

Similar words

そうsō: Indicates a way or manner connected with the listener's words, actions, or viewpoint.
どうdō: Asks about the way or manner in which something is done or said.

Definition in Japanese

今示している方法や内容のとおりであるさま。ima shime shi te i ru hō hō ya nai yō no tō ri de a ru sa ma

Word origin

こう (kō) is a native Japanese demonstrative adverb that developed from the older form かう (kau), meaning "in this way."

Usage tips

  • The conversational pattern こう言います (kō iimasu) is useful when a speaker demonstrates a phrase and then says how it is expressed.

Opposites

Word lists with this word