Japanese word

核

Pronunciation

Romajikaku

Meaning

  • nouncore

Example

この計画の核は何ですか。ko no kei kaku no kaku wa nan de su ka

What is the core of this plan?

Illustration for 核 (core)

More examples

この話の核を、簡単に説明してください。ko no hanashi no kaku o kan tan ni setsu mei shi te ku da sa i

Please explain the core of this story simply.

Core concept

Refers to the innermost part that gives a whole its central substance, whether the whole is physical or abstract.

Common phrases

  • 問題の核mon dai no kaku

    core of the problem

  • 話の核hanashi no kaku

    core of the story

Similar words

中心chūshin: The central point or part that gives a whole its main direction.
中核chūkaku: The central element that holds a plan, group, or system together.
核心kakushin: The essential point at the heart of a matter or idea.

Definition in Japanese

物事の本質をなす中心部分、また果実の種を包む硬い部分。mono goto no hon shitsu o na su chū shin bu bun ma ta ka jitsu no tane o tsutsu mu kata i bu bun

Word origin

核 (kaku, "core") is a Sino-Japanese term from a kanji built with 木 (moku, "tree") for meaning and 亥 (gai, "boar") for sound; its early sense was a fruit's hard seed covering.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese discussions of plans, 核 (kaku) points to the idea that holds the whole discussion together, not merely its most noticeable detail.

Other meanings

  • pitnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word