核 — “Nucleus / Core / Kernel” in Japanese

Master (高手)かく

Radical ⽊ · radical 75 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Nucleus / Core / Kernel” in Japanese is 核, read kaku (かく). 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 核心 (core).

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What does 核 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	核
Meaning	Nucleus / Core / Kernel
Readings	かく
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	核心 (core)

How to read 核

核 is read kaku (かく) depending on the word.

Words with 核

核心

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Kanji read the same way as 核

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

Updated: 2026-08-28