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功
功 (readings: こう, く; Japanese kanji) means “merit / achievement”. It is a Grade 4 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 4 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 成功 (success).
What does 功 mean?
| Kanji | 功 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | merit / achievement |
| Readings | こう, く |
| Grade | Grade 4 (Upper) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 功
功 is read こう or く depending on the word.
Example words with 功
| Example | 成功 (success) |
|---|
Practice writing 功 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14