広告

• Reading: こうこく
• Romaji: koukoku
• Kanji breakdown: 広 (kou) — wide, broad; 告 (koku) — to inform, to announce
• Pronunciation: /koː.ko.kɯ/

Meaning

Advertisement; advertising. A public notice or announcement promoting a product, service, or event.

A noun and suru-verb referring to advertisements and the act of advertising. 広告 covers all forms of advertising from print to digital. Common collocations include 広告を出す (to place an ad), ネット広告 (online advertising), and 広告代理店 (advertising agency). As a suru-verb, 広告する means to advertise.

Examples

1. 電車の中にはたくさん広告が貼ってある。 There are lots of ads posted inside the train.
2. ネット広告の効果は大きいと言われている。 Online advertising is said to be very effective.
3. この広告を見て買いたくなった。 Seeing this ad made me want to buy it.

Usage Guide

Context: marketing, media, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 広 (wide, broad) and 告 (to inform, to announce). The combination means to inform widely, which is the essence of advertising.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal