音読み: コ
訓読み: (none commonly used)
画数: 10 strokes
部首: 亻（にんべん）
Meaning
Individual, counter for items. This kanji is commonly used when referring to people or objects as units or in counting.
- 個人 — individual (person)
- 一個 — one piece/item
- 別個 — another one, separately
- 個体 — individual body, solid (state of matter)
- 個性 — individuality, personality
- 何個 — how many (small items)
The left side 亻 indicates "person," and the right side 固 (ko) acts as the phonetic component. Together, 個 represents the idea of something distinct or individual, often used as a counter for objects or people.
一個だけ 残っています。
Only one piece remains.
彼は 個性が 強い。
He has a strong personality.
The on-yomi コ is the standard reading, especially for counting or compound words. The kun-yomi is rarely used. This kanji is very common in everyday conversation and formal writing.