Readings: カク (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: pavilion; tower; palace; cabinet (government); mansion; government building
The character 閣 is composed of 門 (もん – gate) and 各 (かく – each/various). The 門 radical suggests something related to a gate or entrance. 各 often acts as a phonetic component or suggests “high” or “prominent” due to its association with a raised platform or structure. Together, it originally depicted a “tower over a gate” or a “lofty building,” leading to its meanings of pavilion, tower, and subsequently, a high governmental body like a “cabinet.”
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 閣 has 11 strokes. It begins with the “gate” (門) radical, which is written first. Follow the standard stroke order for 門, starting with the left vertical stroke, then the horizontal-hook, then the right vertical, and finally the two inner components. After completing 門, write the components of 各 (each) on the right side.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 門 (もん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | Joyo Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- カク (Kaku)
Common Words Using 閣
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 内閣 | ないかく | Cabinet (government) |
| 閣僚 | かくりょう | Cabinet members |
| 閣議 | かくぎ | Cabinet meeting |
| 閣下 | かっか | Your/His Excellency |
| 楼閣 | ろうかく | Multi-storied building; tower |
| 閣議決定 | かくぎけってい | Cabinet decision |
| 閣外 | かくがい | Outside the cabinet |
| 閣内 | かくない | Inside the cabinet |
| 書閣 | しょかく | Library; study (literary) |
| 殿閣 | でんかく | Palace; grand building (literary/archaic) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 新しい内閣が発足した。
Kana: あたらしい ないかくが ほっそくした。
Romaji: Atarashii naikaku ga hossoku shita.
English: A new cabinet has been inaugurated.
Japanese: 全ての閣僚が出席した。
Kana: すべての かくりょうが しゅっせきした。
Romaji: Subete no kakuryou ga shusseki shita.
English: All cabinet members attended.
Japanese: 閣議は毎週火曜日に開かれる。
Kana: かくぎは まいしゅう かようびに ひらかれる。
Romaji: Kakugi wa maishuu kayoubi ni hirakareru.
English: The cabinet meeting is held every Tuesday.
Japanese: 大使は閣下にお目通りを求めた。
Kana: たいしは かっかにおめどおりを もとめた。
Romaji: Taishi wa kakka ni omedoori o motometa.
English: The ambassador requested an audience with His Excellency.
Japanese: その公園には美しい楼閣がある。
Kana: その こうえんには うつくしい ろうかくが ある。
Romaji: Sono kouen ni wa utsukushii roukaku ga aru.
English: There is a beautiful multi-storied building in that park.
Japanese: この法案は閣議決定された。
Kana: この ほうあんは かくぎけっていされた。
Romaji: Kono houan wa kakugi kettei sareta.
English: This bill was decided by the cabinet.
Japanese: 彼は閣外から政府を支援している。
Kana: かれは かくがいから せいふを しえんしている。
Romaji: Kare wa kakugai kara seifu o shien shiteiru.
English: He supports the government from outside the cabinet.
Japanese: 閣内の意見はまとまっていない。
Kana: かくないの いけんは まとまっていない。
Romaji: Kakunai no iken wa matomatte inai.
English: Opinions within the cabinet are not unified.
Japanese: 彼は自らの書閣で静かに読書を楽しんだ。
Kana: かれは みずからの しょかくで しずかに どくしょを たのしんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa mizukara no shokaku de shizuka ni dokusho o tanoshinda.
English: He quietly enjoyed reading in his own study/library.
Japanese: かつてここに壮麗な殿閣が建っていた。
Kana: かつて ここに そうれいな でんかくが たっていた。
Romaji: Katsute koko ni soureina denkaku ga tatteita.
English: A magnificent palace/grand building once stood here.
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