工 means “craft, construction”

こう · kou

Also: katakana e radical (no. 48)

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

コウ, ク, グ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 2 · 3 strokes

The story

A carpenter's square in three strokes: the simplest tool, the foundation of all building. From 大工 the carpenter to 工場 the factory floor, 工 carries Japan's deep reverence for skilled hands.

Used in 工場 (koujou, factory), 工事 (kouji, construction work), and 大工 (daiku, carpenter)

More from Work & Industry

• 働 work
• 仕 serve
• 事 matter
• 者 person
• 合 fit
• 業 business
• 員 member
• 代 generation
• 主 main
• 不 not
• 作 make
• 用 utilize

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

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