刻

JLPT N3

engrave, time

Readings

On’yomi: コク (koku)

Kun’yomi: きざ(む), きざ(み) (kiza(mu), kiza(mi))

• きざ(む) – to carve, engrave, cut fine, record deeply • きざ(み) – mincing, engraving, moment

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

刻む

きざむ

carve

時刻

じこく

time

深刻

しんこく

serious

刻印

こくいん

stamp

刻々

こくこく

moment by moment

Example Sentences

文字を刻みます。

もじをきざみます。

I carve letters.

時刻です。

じこくです。

It is the time.

深刻です。

しんこくです。

It is serious.

刻印します。

こくいんします。

I stamp it.

刻々変わります。

こくこくかわります。

It changes moment by moment.

Cultural Note

🕰️ In Japanese culture, “刻” symbolizes not just physical engraving but emotional memory — experiences that are “刻まれる” (engraved) in one’s heart. The phrase 「心に刻む」 (to engrave in the heart) conveys lasting emotional impact or lessons never forgotten.