107
郊
Suburbs, Outskirts
JLPT N2
Interesting Fact
Many Japanese families live in 郊外 (kōgai), the suburbs surrounding large cities like Tokyo and Osaka, then commute by train into the city center each day.
Memory Trick
Imagine leaving the busy city behind until you reach quiet neighborhoods with more space and trees. Those peaceful outskirts remind you that 郊 means 'suburbs.'
Readings
Onyomi: コウ (kou)
Kunyomi:
Example Words
郊外
こうがい (kougai)
Suburbs
近郊
きんこう (kinkou)
Nearby suburbs
郊外住宅
こうがいじゅうたく (kougai juutaku)
Suburban housing
郊外線
こうがいせん (kougaisen)
Suburban railway line
Example Sentence
彼 は 東京 の 郊外 に 住んでいます。
かれ は とうきょう の こうがい に すんでいます。
kare wa toukyou no kougai ni sundeimasu
He lives in the suburbs of Tokyo.