克 means “overcome”

こく · koku

Also: kindly, skillfully

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かつ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

コク

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 7 strokes

The story

A heavy load (古) carried on two legs (儿) without giving way: the Shuowen glosses 克 as to shoulder a burden. 克服 is overcoming an illness, a fear or a weakness, and 克明 is a record kept in vivid, faithful detail.

Used in 克服 (kokufuku, overcoming), 克明 (kokumei, detailed/faithful), and 相克 (soukoku, conflict/rivalry)

More from Grit & Resolve

• 遂 accomplish
• 誓 vow
• 忍 endure
• 挫 setback
• 堪 hold back
• 諦 give up
• 志 aspiration
• 徹 thorough
• 貫 pierce
• 頑 stubborn
• 耐 withstand

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

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