Japanese word

ごく

Pronunciation

Romajigoku

Meaning

  • adverbvery

Example

これはごく簡単です。ko re wa go ku kan tan de su

This is very easy.

Illustration for ごく (very)

More examples

その方法はごく簡単に覚えられます。so no hō hō wa go ku kan tan ni obo e ra re ma su

That method is very easy to learn.

Core concept

Places something close to the highest degree on a scale without necessarily sounding emotional.

Common phrases

  • ごく少数のgo ku shō sū no

    very few

  • ごく普通のgo ku fu tsū no

    very ordinary

Similar words

とてもtotemo: To a high degree in everyday speech, with a neutral tone.
すごくsugoku: To a very high degree in casual conversation.
非常にhijōni: To a very high degree in formal writing or speech.

Definition in Japanese

物事の程度が非常に高いさまを表す語。mono goto no tei do ga hi jō ni taka i sa ma o arawa su go

Word origin

The adverb ごく (goku, "very") uses 極 (goku, "utmost; extreme"), a Sino-Japanese word, to mark a degree near the extreme end of a scale; its exact historical path is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • The expression ごく普通 (goku futsū, "very ordinary") is common, while ごく (goku) by itself is less conversational than とても (totemo, "very").

Word lists with this word