Readings: コウ (Onyomi), おか (Kunyomi)
Meaning: hill, mound
The kanji 岡 is a complex character often associated with place names. While some sources link it to 崗 (a hill or mound), it is generally understood as depicting a hill or a mound, often with a flat top. It is frequently used in geographical names in Japan.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 岡 consists of 8 strokes. It begins with the radical 山 (mountain) on the left, followed by the component on the right. The stroke order follows the standard conventions of writing left-to-right, top-to-bottom. First, write the three strokes of 山. Then, proceed with the right-side component, starting with the horizontal stroke, then the two vertical strokes forming the enclosure, and finally the bottom horizontal stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 山 (やまで) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- コウ (Kou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- おか (oka)
Common Words Using 岡
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 岡本 | コウホン | Okamoto (a common Japanese surname; *note: typically read おかもと*) |
| 岡山 | コウサン | Okayama (prefecture/city in Japan; *note: typically read おかやま*) |
| 岡崎 | コウサキ | Okazaki (city in Aichi Prefecture; *note: typically read おかざき*) |
| 岡村 | コウソン | Okamura (a common Japanese surname; *note: typically read おかむら*) |
| 岡野 | コウヤ | Okano (a common Japanese surname; *note: typically read おかの*) |
| 岡部 | コウベ | Okabe (a common Japanese surname; *note: typically read おかべ*) |
| 岡谷 | コウコク | Okaya (city in Nagano Prefecture; *note: typically read おかや*) |
| 岡島 | コウトウ | Okajima (a Japanese surname; *note: typically read おかじま*) |
| 岡宮 | コウキュウ | Okamiya (a Japanese surname or place name; *note: typically read おかみや*) |
| 岡地 | コウチ | Okachi (a Japanese surname or place name; *note: typically read おかち*) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 岡 | おか | hill, mound (standalone, often in names) |
| 岡の上 | おか の うえ | on the hill |
| 岡道 | おかみち | hill road |
| 岡育ち | おかそだち | hill-bred, raised in the hills |
| 岡山 | おかやま | Okayama (prefecture/city) |
| 岡崎 | おかざき | Okazaki (city) |
| 岡本 | おかもと | Okamoto (surname) |
| 岡村 | おかむら | Okamura (surname) |
| 岡野 | おかの | Okano (surname) |
| 岡部 | おかべ | Okabe (surname) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 岡山県は日本の西部に位置しています。
Kana: おかやまけんはにほんのせいきにいちしています。
Romaji: Okayama-ken wa Nihon no seibu ni ichi shiteimasu.
English: Okayama Prefecture is located in the western part of Japan.
Japanese: 彼の名前は岡本です。
Kana: かれのなまえはおかもとです。
Romaji: Kare no namae wa Okamoto desu.
English: His name is Okamoto.
Japanese: その岡の上には古い神社があります。
Kana: そのおかうえにはふるいじんじゃがあります。
Romaji: Sono oka no ue ni wa furui jinja ga arimasu.
English: There is an old shrine on top of that hill.
Japanese: 私たちは岡道を通って村へ向かった。
Kana: わたしたちはおかみちをとおってむらへむかった。
Romaji: Watashitachi wa okamichi o tōtte mura e mukatta.
English: We headed to the village via the hill road.
Japanese: 彼女は岡育ちなので、自然が好きです。
Kana: かのじょはおかそだちなので、しぜんがすきです。
Romaji: Kanojo wa okasodachi nanode, shizen ga suki desu.
English: She was raised in the hills, so she loves nature.
Japanese: 岡崎城は桜の名所として知られています。
Kana: おかざきじょうはさくらのめいしょとしてしられています。
Romaji: Okazaki-jō wa sakura no meisho to shite shirareteimasu.
English: Okazaki Castle is known as a famous cherry blossom spot.
Japanese: 岡部先生はとても親切です。
Kana: おかべせんせいはとてもしんせつです。
Romaji: Okabe-sensei wa totemo shinsetsu desu.
English: Mr. Okabe is very kind.
Japanese: 冬にはこの岡は雪で覆われます。
Kana: ふゆにはこのおかはゆきでおおわれます。
Romaji: Fuyu ni wa kono oka wa yuki de oowaremasu.
English: In winter, this hill is covered with snow.
Japanese: 岡野さんは新しいプロジェクトのリーダーです。
Kana: おかのさんはあたらしいぷろじぇくとのりーだーです。
Romaji: Okano-san wa atarashii purojekuto no rīdā desu.
English: Mr. Okano is the leader of the new project.
Japanese: 岡村さんはテレビでよく見かけるコメディアンです。
Kana: おかむらさんはてれびでよくみかけるこめでぃあんです。
Romaji: Okamura-san wa terebi de yoku mikakeru komedian desu.
English: Mr. Okamura is a comedian often seen on TV.
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