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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

酷使

Reading

Kana: こくし
Romaji: kokushi
Kana
Romaji

Definition

noun
vs
1

exploitation; overuse; abuse

Kanji

酷
Readings: コク、 ひど.い
Meanings: cruel, severe, atrocious, unjust
使
Readings: シ、 つか.う、 つか.い、 -つか.い、 -づか.い
Meanings: use, send on a mission, order, messenger, envoy, ambassador, cause

Example Sentence

酷使(こくし)されている不法(ふほう)外国人(がいこくじん)労働者(ろうどうしゃ)は制度(せいど)の隙間(すきま)にこぼれ落(お)ちてしまうことが多(おお)いのです。
➥Mistreated illegal foreign workers often fall between the cracks of the social system.
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