adjectival noun or quasi-adjective, noun

  1. severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
こく

Contained Kanji Breakdown

cruel, severe, atrocious
コク ひど.い (9th, N1)
west, bird, sign of the bird
とり ユウ なが (Kentei Pre-1, N1)
west, Spain
にし サイ セイ (2nd, N5)
high & level, lofty, bald
コツ (Kentei 1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン ニン がい (Kentei 1)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
revelation, tell, inform
コク つ.げる い (4th, N3)
cow
うし ギュウ ご (2nd, N4)
katakana no radical (no. 4)
ヘツ えい よう (Kentei 1)
dry, parch, ebb
ひ.る カン ほ.す (6th, N2)