他

• Reading: ほか
• Romaji: hoka
• Kanji breakdown: 他 (hoka/ta) — other, another
• Pronunciation: /ho.ka/

Meaning

Other; another; elsewhere. Refers to things, places, or people apart from the current subject.

A noun meaning 'other' or 'the rest,' read as ほか in everyday use. Often written in hiragana as ほか. Used in patterns like 他にも (hoka ni mo, in addition), 他の (hoka no, other), and その他 (sonota, and others/miscellaneous). Distinct from 別 (betsu, different/separate).

Examples

1. 他に質問はありますか。 Are there any other questions?
2. この店の他にもおいしい店がある。 Besides this restaurant, there are other good places to eat.
3. 他の人にも聞いてみよう。 Let's ask some other people as well.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, business, writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 他 combines 亻 (person radical) and 也 (a phonetic element meaning 'also'). The person radical suggests 'another person,' extending to the general concept of 'other.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal