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郷
hometown · countryside · village · district
N1On: きょう、ごうKun: さと
Memory Aid
The left part (⻏) represents a settlement or village. The right part (艮) can be seen as a person 'rooted' or 'stopping' in that 'good' place, making it their cherished hometown.
'Kyou' — Think of 'KYO' as in 'KYOTO,' a historic city that feels like a hometown for many people.
Vocabulary
故郷こきょうhometown, native place
郷土きょうどnative place, one's home (region/country)
郷愁きょうしゅうnostalgia, homesickness
郷里きょうりhometown, native place
同郷どうきょうfrom the same village/region
Example Sentences
故郷に帰るのが夢です。
Returning to my hometown is my dream.
彼の郷土愛はとても強い。
His love for his homeland is very strong.
私は時々、故郷を懐かしく思います。
Sometimes I miss my hometown.
この辺りは昔は静かな郷でした。
This area used to be a quiet village.