A1 noun Littéraire #3,879 le plus courant

koku [ko̞kɯᵝ]

A specific moment in time or a point in time, often used to describe the ticking passage of time. Historically, it also refers to a specific unit of time (roughly two hours) in the traditional Japanese timekeeping system.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

刻々と時間が過ぎていきます。

Time is ticking away moment by moment.

2

開会の刻が参りました。

The moment for the opening has arrived.

3

楽しい刻はすぐに終わるね。

Fun times end quickly, don't they?

Famille de mots

Nom
Verb
刻む
Adverbe
刻々と
Apparenté
時刻
💡

Astuce mémo

The kanji features the radical for 'knife' (刂) on the right. Imagine a knife carving notches into a stick to mark the passage of time.

Quiz rapide

___一刻と状況が変化している。

Correct !

La bonne réponse est :

Exemples

1

刻々と時間が過ぎていきます。

everyday

Time is ticking away moment by moment.

2

開会の刻が参りました。

formal

The moment for the opening has arrived.

3

楽しい刻はすぐに終わるね。

informal

Fun times end quickly, don't they?

4

古代の日本では刻を用いて時間を計った。

academic

In ancient Japan, 'koku' was used to measure time.

5

決断の刻が迫っています。

business

The moment of decision is drawing near.

Famille de mots

Nom
Verb
刻む
Adverbe
刻々と
Apparenté
時刻

Collocations courantes

刻を刻む to tick away the time
刻一刻と moment by moment
最後の刻 the final moment
刻を待つ to wait for the right moment
至福の刻 a moment of bliss

Phrases Courantes

刻を告げる

to announce the time

刻を忘れる

to lose track of time

一刻を争う

to be a matter of urgency

Souvent confondu avec

vs 時 (とき)

Toki is the general word for time; Koku is more literary or refers to the precise ticking/marking of moments.

vs 国 (くに)

Pronounced 'kuni', it means country, though it shares the 'k' sound.

📝

Notes d'usage

In modern Japanese, 'koku' is rarely used as a standalone noun for 'time' in casual speech. It is most commonly found in the adverb 'kokukoku' (moment by moment) or in historical fiction.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners often try to use 'koku' to say 'what time is it?' which is incorrect; 'nan-ji' must be used instead.

💡

Astuce mémo

The kanji features the radical for 'knife' (刂) on the right. Imagine a knife carving notches into a stick to mark the passage of time.

📖

Origine du mot

Originally derived from the notches or graduations on a water clock (clepsydra) used to measure intervals.

Modèles grammaticaux

Used as a noun followed by particles like が, を, or は. Commonly doubles as an adverb: 刻々と (kokukokuto).
🌍

Contexte culturel

Refers to the Edo-period time system where the day and night were divided into six 'koku' each, varying by season.

Quiz rapide

___一刻と状況が変化している。

Correct !

La bonne réponse est :

Expressions liées

Mots lis

協力

A1

Cooperation or collaboration where two or more people combine their efforts to achieve a common goal. It is used in both personal and professional settings to describe working together as a team or providing assistance.

提案

A1

A suggestion or proposal of a plan or idea for others to consider. It is used in both casual conversations and professional meetings to introduce a potential course of action.

輸出

A1

The act of sending goods or services produced in one country to another country for sale or trade. In Japanese, it functions as a noun and a suru-verb, representing the 'exit' of products from a domestic market.

輸入

A1

The act of bringing goods, services, or materials into a country from abroad for sale or use. In Japanese, it functions as a noun or can be combined with 'suru' to become a verb meaning 'to import'.

資源

A1

Shigen refers to valuable materials or assets, such as natural minerals, energy sources, or human talent, that can be used for production or survival. It is widely used in economics, environmental science, and daily life to describe both raw materials and abstract wealth.

保護

A1

The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, damage, or loss by providing care or creating boundaries. It is a versatile term in Japanese used for social welfare, environmental conservation, and digital security.

観察

A1

Observation is the act of watching someone or something carefully in order to gain information or understand a process. It is frequently used in scientific studies, nature analysis, and describing the act of paying close attention to details.

競争

A1

Kyousou refers to the act of competing or vying with others to achieve a goal, win a prize, or establish superiority. It is a versatile term used in sports, business, and academics to describe both structured contests and general rivalry.

拡大

A1

The act of making something larger in size, scale, or scope. It is frequently used for physical enlargement (like a photo) or abstract growth (like a business or a problem).

製造

A1

The process of making or producing goods, typically on a large scale using machinery. It refers specifically to industrial manufacturing rather than making things by hand on a small scale.

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