温厚

• Reading: おんこう
• Romaji: onkou
• Kanji breakdown: 温 (on) — warm, gentle; 厚 (kō) — thick, generous
• Pronunciation: /oɴ.koː/

Meaning

Gentle; mild-mannered; warm and generous in character. Describes a person of steady, kind temperament.

A na-adjective and noun describing someone who is warm, patient, and not easily angered. A classic compliment for someone's character — 温厚な人柄 (a gentle personality), 温厚篤実 (warm and sincere, a four-character idiom). Often used to describe people who are calm even in difficult situations.

Examples

1. 彼は温厚な人柄で周りから慕われている。 He is loved by those around him for his gentle personality.
2. 温厚な父が怒るのを初めて見た。 It was the first time I'd ever seen my mild-mannered father get angry.
3. 温厚そうに見えるが実は芯が強い。 He looks gentle, but he actually has a strong core.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, compliments, descriptions, character

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 温 (on, warm/gentle) + 厚 (kō, thick/generous). Literally 'warm and generous,' describing a person whose warmth and depth of character are like a thick, comfortable blanket.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal