The Meaning of kakkō [格好] In Japanese

格好
かっこう
Romaji: kakkō N5

What does 格好 mean?

Translation and Meaning

appearance, looks, form, dress, style

Definition

格好 means outward appearance or form, including clothing, styling, and bearing; it captures how someone presents themselves or how a thing looks in a given moment.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • appearance and overall look of a person or object
  • style or fashion sense, including clothing choices and presentation
  • manner or bearing in social contexts, such as posture or conduct
  • showiness or pretentiousness in phrases like 格好をつける or 格好だけ

Etymology

Native kanji compound formed from 格 and 好; read kakkō in compounds; developed in classical Japanese and extended into modern usage.

Composition

  • 格: status, standard; conveys external form or social expectations
  • 好: like, favorable; indicates positive valuation

Usage

日常会話では名詞として用いられ、格好いい/格好悪いなどの形容表現と結びつく。ファッション・スタイルの語彙として使われ、外見・身だしなみ・所作を指す。格好を整える、格好をつけるなどの表現で外見の調整・演出を表す。
💡 Tips

Mnemonic: imagine 格 as a frame or standard and 好 as a sign meaning “like.” Put them together as a frame that earns a like—格好 is the look you present to fit the standard.

Variations

  • 見かけ — mikake (appearance)
  • 姿 — sugata (figure, appearance)
  • 体裁 — teisai (appearance, formality)
  • スタイル — sutairu (style)
  • 見栄え — mibae (visual appeal)

Example Phrases

  • 彼女は今朝、格好を整えて学校へ行った。
    Kanojo wa kakkou o totonoete gakkou e itta.
    She tidied up her appearance this morning and went to school.
    Lista:
    • 彼女は (Kanojo wa) – she (topic)
    • 今朝 (Kesa) – this morning
    • 格好を整えて (Kakkou o totonoete) – to tidy up one’s appearance
    • 学校へ (Gakkou e) – to school
    • 行った (itta) – went
    Uses 「格好」 to mean appearance; 格好を整える means to tidy up one’s appearance, and the te-form 整えて links to 行った.
格好