This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

工夫

功夫

Reading

Kana: くふう
Romaji: kufuu
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

vs
1

scheme; device; scheming; devising; figuring out; coming up with; solving ingeniously

2

dedication to spiritual improvement (esp. through Zen meditation)

Kanji

Readings: コウ、 ク、 グ
Meanings: craft, construction, katakana e radical (no. 48)
Readings: フ、 フウ、 ブ、 おっと、 それ
Meanings: husband, man
Readings: コウ、 ク、 いさお
Meanings: achievement, merits, success, honor, credit

Example Sentences

これは(わたし)工夫(くふう)した計画(けいかく)です。
➥This is a plan of my own devising.
Full Entry➤
ファイルへの(ちょく)リンだけはやめた(ほう)がいいです。URLの最初(さいしょ)だけ全角(ぜんかく)httpにするとか、ちょっと工夫(くふう)しよう。
➥It's a good idea to stop using direct-links to files. Use a trick like starting the URL with double-width h t t p or something.
Full Entry➤
うまい写真(しゃしん)をとるにはちょっとした工夫(くふう)とコツがあるんです。
➥To take good pictures there are some knacks to learn and a little trick.
Full Entry➤
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