Translation and Meaning of: 角 - kaku

The Japanese word 角 [かく, kaku] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting meanings and uses in everyday life in Japan. If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding like this can enrich your vocabulary and even help in practical situations. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and contexts in which 角 is used, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.

Meaning and Translation of 角 [かく]

角 [かく] is a noun that means "angle" or "corner." It can also refer to an animal's "horn," depending on the context. This duality of meanings is common in Japanese, where the same kanji may have different interpretations based on the situation.

In geometric constructions or when describing objects, 角 often appears to indicate corners or vertices. For example, when talking about a square, you can use 四角 [しかく, shikaku], which literally means "four corners." In the case of animals like bulls or deer, the term refers to horns.

Origin and Writing of the Kanji 角

The kanji 角 has an interesting history. It is composed of the radical for "horn" (⻆) and is part of characters that refer to sharp objects or angular structures. Its origin comes from the pictographic representation of an animal's horn, evolving over time into its current form.

In writing, it's important to pay attention to the stroke order to avoid confusion with similar kanjis. Although it seems simple, constant practice is essential to memorize its correct form. A useful tip is to associate the radical ⻆ with something pointed, like a horn or a sharp corner.

Everyday Expressions and Common Phrases

In daily life, 角 appears in various expressions. One of them is 角を曲がる [かどをまがる, kado o magaru], which means "to turn the corner." This phrase is commonly used in directions, whether walking or driving.

Another example is 三角 [さんかく, sankaku], which means "triangle". This word is often found in math classes or even on food packaging that is in a triangular shape. Knowing these can facilitate your communication in Japanese, especially in practical situations.

Tips for Memorizing 角

An effective way to the kanji 角 is to associate it with objects that have angular or pointed shapes. Think of an animal horn or the corner of a table. This visualization helps to create a mental connection between the meaning and the writing.

Another strategy is to practice with flashcards or apps like Suki Nihongo, which provide real examples of usage. Repeating sentences like "角を曲がってください" (please turn at the corner) out loud also reinforces memorization in a natural way.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

かど (kado) - corner
ツノ (tsuno) - Horn
角度 (kakudo) - Angle
角質 (kakushitsu) - Outer layer of the skin
角膜 (kakumaku) - Cornea of the eye
角柱 (kakuchuu) - Prism
角砂糖 (kakuzatou) - Sugar cubes
角笛 (kakudai) - Wind instrument
角膜炎 (kakumaku en) - Corneal inflammation
角度計 (kakudokei) - Protractor
角錐形 (kakusuikei) - Cone shape
角状筋 (kakujoukin) - Angular muscle
角煮 (kakuni) - Pork cooked in sauce
角磨き (kakugaki) - Angular file
角餅 (kakumochi) - Rice cake in the shape of an angle
角張る (kakuharu) - To be square/boxy
角張った (kakubatta) - Angled (shape)
角張り (kakubari) - Angular shape
角質層 (kakushitsusou) - Keratin layer
角質化 (kakushituka) - Keratinization
角質膜 (kakushitumaku) - Keratin membrane
角質細胞 (kakushitsusaibou) - Keratin cells
角質状 (kakushitsujou) - Keratin aspect
角質状の (kakushitsujou no) - Regarding characteristics of keratin

Related words

四つ角

yotsukado

four corners; crossroads

街角

machikado

corner of the street

方角

hougaku

direction; path; com point

兎も角

tomokaku

Anyway; anyway; somehow or another; speaking in general; in any case.

兎に角

tonikaku

Anyway; anyway; somehow or another; in general; in any case.

兎角

tokaku

Of any

直角

chokkaku

right angle

折角

sekkaku

with problems; in great pains; long -awaited

四角

shikaku

square

四角い

shikakui

square

角

Romaji: kaku
Kana: かく
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: 1. angle; 2. bishop (shogi)

Meaning in English: 1. angle; 2. bishop (shogi)

Definition: A cut or curve formed on the surface of an object.

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (角) kaku

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (角) kaku:

Example Sentences - (角) kaku

See below some example sentences:

四角い部屋は広々としている。

Yonkaku i heya wa hirobiro to shite iru

A room with four corners is spacious.

The square room is spacious.

四角い - It means "square" or "rectangular".
部屋 - means "room".
は - partopic marker indicating that the subject of the sentence is "quarto quadrado".
広々 - It means "spacious" or "wide".
と - Subtitle indicating that "spacious" is a characteristic of the quarto.
している - Present form of the verb "する" indicating an ongoing action. In this case, "being" or "getting".

正方形は四辺が等しい四角形です。

Seikaku wa shihen ga hitoshii shikakkei desu

A square is a quadrilateral with four equal sides.

The square is a square with four equal sides.

正方形 - It means "square" in Japanese.
は - topic particle in Japanese.
四辺 - It means "four sides" in Japanese.
が - subject particle in Japanese.
等しい - It means "equal" in Japanese.
四角形 - means "quadrilateral" in Japanese.
です - The verb "to be" in Japanese in the polite form.

対辺は三角形の辺の一つです。

Taiben wa sankakkei no hen no hitotsu desu

The hypotenuse is one side of the triangle.

The opposite is one of the triangles.

対辺 - means "opposite side" in Japanese, referring to the opposite side of an angle in a triangle.
三角形 - Means "triangle" in Japanese.
辺 - means "side" in Japanese, referring to one side of a triangle.
一つ - means "one" in Japanese, indicating that the side mentioned is one of the sides of the triangle.
です - is a Japanese particle that indicates a statement or statement.

その箱は四角いです。

sono hako wa shikakui desu

This box is square.

The box is square.

その - demonstrative pronoun meaning "that"
箱 - noun that means "box"
は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "that box"
四角い - adjective meaning "square"
です - verb to be in the polite form

三角形は三つの辺を持つ図形です。

Sankakukei wa mittsu no hen o motsu zukukei desu

A triangle is a figure with three sides.

三角形 - means "triangle" in Japanese
は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
三つ - means "three" in Japanese
の - Particle that indicates possession
辺 - means "side" in Japanese
を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
持つ - means "to have" or "to possess" in Japanese
図形 - means "geometric figure" in Japanese
です - polite way of being or being in Japanese

四つ角は直角を持つ角です。

Yottsumi kado wa chokkaku o motsu kado desu

A square has right angles.

The four horns are a corner with a right angle.

四つ角 (yotsu kado) - It means "four corners" or "four angles".
は (wa) - Grammatical particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "quatro cantos".
直角 (chokkaku) - It means "right angle".
を (wo) - Direct object pronoun that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "right angle".
持つ (motsu) - Verb that means "to have" or "to possess".
角 (kado) - It means "angle".
です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form.

街角で待ち合わせしましょう。

Machikado de machiawase shimashou

Let's meet at the corner of the street.

街角 (machikado) - means "corner" in Japanese
で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where something happens
待ち合わせ (machiawase) - means "meeting" in Japanese
しましょう (shimashou) - polite way of suggesting something, in this case "let's meet"

角度を測ることが大切です。

Kakudo wo hakaru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to measure the angle.