Explore 具 through everyday objects and ingredients. Learn the reading together with each complete word.
The idea
具 has 8 strokes; use the linked diagram for stroke order. Its common reading グ appears in 道具（どうぐ）, 家具（かぐ） and 具体的（ぐたいてき）. 絵の具（えのぐ） mixes native and Sino-Japanese elements.
Examples
- 道具を使って、棚を作ります。I use tools to make a shelf.
- 机の上に文房具を並べます。I arrange stationery on the desk.
- 絵を描くために絵の具を買いました。I bought paints to paint a picture.
- 味噌汁の具は豆腐とわかめです。The ingredients in the miso soup are tofu and wakame.
- 家具を新しい家に運びます。I carry the furniture to the new house.
- 具体的な例を一つ教えてください。Please give me one concrete example.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
具 alone can mean an ingredient in a dish, while 道具 means a tool and 具体的 means concrete. Do not assume every word refers to equipment. Compare 具 with 貝: 具 has an extra horizontal stroke inside.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 道具 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
どうぐ
道具 is どうぐ: tools used for a task.
Write the reading of 絵の具 in hiragana.
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えのぐ
絵の具 is えのぐ: paints used to make pictures.
Choose the missing kanji: 家＿（かぐ）［具／貝］.
Show answer or example answer
具
具 completes 家具（かぐ）, meaning furniture.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 道具 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 絵の具 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 家＿（かぐ）［具／貝］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 具 following the diagram. Cover the readings, read 道具 and 絵の具, then make a sentence with one.