Readings: コウ (Onyomi), かんがえる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Think, consider, reflect
The kanji 考 is composed of the radical 老 (rō) meaning “old man” and the component 丂 (kō) which implies “leaning forward” or “crooked.” Together, it suggests an old man leaning forward, engrossed in thought or consideration.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 考 has 6 strokes. Start with the top horizontal stroke, then the two shorter vertical strokes for the top part (⺹). Next, draw the vertical stroke followed by the horizontal stroke with a hook for the bottom left part. Finish with the last two strokes, a vertical and a horizontal, for the bottom right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 老 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 2 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- コウ (Kō)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かんがえる (kangaeru)
Common Words Using 考
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 思考 | しこう | thought, consideration |
| 参考 | さんこう | reference, consultation |
| 考慮 | こうりょ | consideration, taking into account |
| 考案 | こうあん | device, plan, contrivance |
| 選考 | せんこう | selection, screening |
| 思考力 | しこうりょく | thinking ability |
| 考古学 | こうこがく | archaeology |
| 再考 | さいこう | reconsideration |
| 考査 | こうさ | examination, test |
| 備考 | びこう | remarks, notes |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 考える | かんがえる | to think, to consider |
| 考え | かんがえ | thought, idea, opinion |
| 考え方 | かんがえかた | way of thinking, viewpoint |
| 考え直す | かんがえなおす | to reconsider, to rethink |
| 考え込む | かんがえこむ | to ponder, to be lost in thought |
| 考え事 | かんがえごと | worries, concerns, thoughts |
| よく考える | よくかんがえる | to think carefully |
| 考え出す | かんがえだす | to come up with an idea, to devise |
| 考え続ける | かんがえつづける | to keep thinking |
| 考えつく | かんがえつく | to hit upon an idea |
Example Sentences
Japanese: その問題についてよく考えました。
Kana: そのもんだいについてよくかんがえました。
Romaji: Sono mondai ni tsuite yoku kangaemashita.
English: I thought carefully about that problem.
Japanese: もう少し考えさせてください。
Kana: もうすこしかんがえさせてください。
Romaji: Mou sukoshi kangaesasete kudasai.
English: Please let me think about it a little more.
Japanese: 彼の考えはとてもユニークです。
Kana: かれのかんがえはとてもユニークです。
Romaji: Kare no kangae wa totemo yunīku desu.
English: His ideas are very unique.
Japanese: この計画を再考する必要があります。
Kana: このけいかくをさいこうするひつようがあります。
Romaji: Kono keikaku o saikou suru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
English: We need to reconsider this plan.
Japanese: 参考書で調べてみましょう。
Kana: さんこうしょでしらべてみましょう。
Romaji: Sankousho de shirabete mimashou.
English: Let’s try looking it up in a reference book.
Japanese: 彼の意見を考慮に入れます。
Kana: かれのいけんをこうりょにいれます。
Romaji: Kare no iken o kōryo ni iremasu.
English: I will take his opinion into consideration.
Japanese: 新しい商品を考案中です。
Kana: あたらしいしょうひんをこうあんちゅうです。
Romaji: Atarashii shouhin o kouanchuu desu.
English: We are currently devising a new product.
Japanese: 彼女は何か考え事をしているようでした。
Kana: かのじょはなにかかんがえごとをしているようでした。
Romaji: Kanojo wa nanika kangaegoto o shiteiru you deshita.
English: She seemed to be lost in thought.
Japanese: 思考力を高めるために読書をします。
Kana: しこうりょくをたかめるためにどくしょをします。
Romaji: Shikouryoku o takameru tame ni dokusho o shimasu.
English: I read books to enhance my thinking ability.
Japanese: 試験の結果について考え続ける。
Kana: しけんのけっかについてかんがえつづける。
Romaji: Shiken no kekka ni tsuite kangaetsuzukeru.
English: I keep thinking about the exam results.
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