控 — “Withdraw / Draw In / Hold Back / Refrain From” in Japanese

Master (高手)こう, ひか

Radical ⼿ · radical 64 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Withdraw / Draw In / Hold Back / Refrain From” in Japanese is 控, read kou, hika (こう, ひか). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 控除 (deduction).

Try it now

What does 控 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	控
Meaning	Withdraw / Draw In / Hold Back / Refrain From
Readings	こう, ひか
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	控除 (deduction)

How to read 控

控 is read kou (こう) or hika (ひか) depending on the word.

Words with 控

控除

Learn 控 in real sentences — free

Read stories and news built from only the kanji you already know. KanjiSchool’s path covers all 2,136 Jōyō kanji — 1,018 ready to learn now.

Start free — no credit card →

Kanji read the same way as 控

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28