Kanji meanings › Merit
Kanji for Merit
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “merit”: 功、勲. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
merit
Achievement earned through hard work.
5 strokes On reading コウ、ク (kou, ku) Kun reading いさお (isao) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: achievement, merits, success, honor, credit
Readings used for names on Nazuke: isa, katsu, ku, kou, tsutomu, nori, yoshi
In Japan it appears in about 249 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, in both boys’ and girls’ names.
Names written with 功: Isabela 功平良
merit
Honor and merit earned by great deeds.
15 strokes On reading クン (kun) Kun reading いさお (isao) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: meritorious deed, merit
Readings used for names on Nazuke: isamu, kun
In Japan it appears in about 68 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
Put it in your name
Nazuke writes your first name in kanji, choosing characters for both sound and meaning.