郡

• Reading: ぐん
• Romaji: gun
• Kanji breakdown: 郡 (gun) — county, district
• Pronunciation: /ɡɯ.n/

Meaning

County; district. An administrative subdivision between prefecture and municipality.

A noun referring to a geographic and administrative unit in Japan, positioned between a prefecture (県) and a town/village (町/村). While less prominent than in the past, 郡 still appears in official addresses for rural areas. Not to be confused with the homophone 軍 (army).

Examples

1. おばあちゃんの家は田舎の郡にある。 Grandma's house is in a rural county.
2. 郡の人口は年々減っている。 The county's population is decreasing every year.
3. この町は昔、別の郡に属していた。 This town used to belong to a different county.

Usage Guide

Context: geography, addresses, administration

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 郡 combines 君 (lord, ruler) and 阝 (city/settlement). Originally described a territory governed by a local lord, evolving into the modern administrative unit.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal