Explore 肯 through words for affirmation and assent. Learn each reading in a complete word and context.

The idea

肯 has 8 strokes and the on-reading こう in 肯定（こうてい） and 首肯（しゅこう）. 肯定する means to affirm or accept something as valid; 肯定的 means positive or affirmative. Follow the linked stroke diagram.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
肯定こうていThe teacher affirmed the student’s opinion.
肯定的こうていてきI try to think positively.
首肯しゅこうShe nodded in agreement with the proposal.

Examples

  • 先生せんせいは生徒せいとの意見いけんを肯定こうていしました。The teacher affirmed the student’s opinion.
  • 私わたしは肯定的こうていてきに考かんがえるようにしています。I try to think positively.
  • 彼女かのじょは提案ていあんにうなずいて首肯しゅこうしました。She nodded in agreement with the proposal.
  • 結果けっかは必かならずしも仮説かせつを肯定こうていしません。The results do not necessarily support the hypothesis.
  • 彼かれはその変化へんかを肯定的こうていてきに語かたりました。He spoke positively about the change.
  • 管理者かんりしゃはその計画けいかくを首肯しゅこうしました。The manager agreed to the plan.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

肯定 is affirmation, while 肯定的 describes a positive attitude. 首肯 means assent, often expressed by a nod; it is a formal word, not simply any nod.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 肯定 in hiragana.

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    こうてい

    肯定 is read こうてい; 肯 and 定 are read together in this compound.

  2. Write the reading of 首肯 in hiragana.

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    しゅこう

    首肯 is read しゅこう; learn the formal word for assent as a whole.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿定的（こうていてき）［肯／否］.

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    肯

    肯 completes 肯定的（こうていてき）, meaning positive or affirmative.

Use it today

Write 肯 using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read the words aloud, and make a sentence with 肯定的.