JLPT N1 · Japanese kanji
故 — happenstance
- Reading
- コ・ゆえ・ふる.い・もと
- Meaning
- happenstance; especially; intentionally; reason; cause; circumstances; the late; therefore; consequently
- JLPT level
- N1
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
故 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N1 level. Its primary reading is コ・ゆえ・ふる.い・もと and it means happenstance; especially; intentionally; reason; cause; circumstances; the late; therefore; consequently. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
故 appears in everyday japanese words such as 故 (the late), 何故 (why) and 故人 (the deceased).
Japanese words containing 故
Frequently asked questions
What does 故 mean in Japanese?
故 means happenstance; especially; intentionally; reason; cause; circumstances; the late; therefore; consequently in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N1 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 故 read?
故 is read コ・ゆえ・ふる.い・もと. Reading it inside real words — 故 and 何故 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 故 — is it JLPT N1?
Yes. 故 is on the official JLPT N1 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 故 in a word?
A common word containing 故 is 故 (こ) — "the late". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 故 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 故 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N1 kanji
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