字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit

On’yomi コウ
Kun’yomi き.く、ききめ、なら.う

Origin

The character 効 combines two parts to show how something works or produces a result. The right side, 力, means "power" or "force" and suggests the idea of something taking effect or having strength. The left side, 交, serves as a sound hint for how the character is pronounced (roughly "kou"). Together, the pairing of "force" with the sound component created a character meaning the power or benefit that comes from doing something — its efficacy or merit.

効 8 strokes

Components

  • 交 sound hint left
  • 力 radical right

A sound hint component points at the character’s pronunciation, not its meaning — don’t read a meaning into it.

Common words

  • 効果 こうか effect; effectiveness
  • 効能 こうのう effect; effectiveness
  • 効用 こうよう use; utility
  • 効率 こうりつ efficiency
  • 効力 こうりょく effect; efficacy
  • 時効 じこう prescription; statute of limitations
  • 実効 じっこう practical effect; efficacy
  • 即効 そっこう immediate effect; instant effect

Related kanji

Same sound component 交
Same radical

Reference

Strokes
8
Kangxi radical
19
Formation type
Phono-semantic (meaning + sound hint)
Grade
Grade 5 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#538 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 2
Unicode
U+052B9