攻 means “attack, assault”

せめる · semeru

Also: aggression, criticize, polish

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

せめる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

コウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 7 strokes

The story

A craftsman's tool (工) and a hand with a stick (攵): working away at a target until it gives. 攻める is to attack, 攻撃 an attack, and 専攻 is your major at university, the one subject you go after.

Used in 攻撃 (kougeki, attack), 攻める (semeru, to attack), and 専攻 (senkou, major/specialty)

More from Attack & Conquer

• 狙 aim at
• 闘 fight
• 衝 collide
• 奪 snatch
• 挑 challenge
• 侵 invade
• 襲 attack
• 敵 enemy
• 征 conquer
• 虜 captive
• 伐 cut down
• 撃 strike

Learn 攻 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.