攻 — “Aggression / Attack / Criticize / Polish” in Japanese

Master (高手)こう, せ

Radical ⽁ · radical 66 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Aggression / Attack / Criticize / Polish” in Japanese is 攻, read kou, se (こう, せ). 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 攻撃 (attack).

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What does 攻 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	攻
Meaning	Aggression / Attack / Criticize / Polish
Readings	こう, せ
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	攻撃 (attack)

How to read 攻

攻 is read kou (こう) or se (せ) depending on the word.

Words with 攻

攻撃こうげき

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Kanji read the same way as 攻

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

Updated: 2026-08-28