き
効
　
く

Godan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to be effective, to take effect, to be good (for). Usu. 効く.
  2. to work, to function well. Usu. 利く for body senses, functions, etc..
  3. to be possible (to do, use, etc.), to be able to.

Godan verb, transitive verb

  1. to taste (alcohol), to try.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
き
効
　
く
 効く きく ✔
き
利
　
く
 利く きく ✔

Contained Kanji Breakdown

merit, efficacy, efficiency
コウ　き.く　ききめ (5th, N2)
mingle, mixing, association
コウ　-か.う　まじ.わる (2nd, N3)
kettle lid radical (no. 8)
トウ (Kentei 1)
father
ちち　フ (2nd, N5)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ　や　はっ (1st, N5)
mow, cut grass, subdue
ガイ　ゲ　おさ.める (Kentei 1)
power, strength, strong
リョク　ちから　リキ (1st, N4)