Japanese word of the day: 結構 (Kekkou)

What does 結構 (Kekkou) mean?

結構 (Kekkō) (na-adjective/adverb) — This wonderfully versatile word has several meanings: "quite," "rather," "fairly," "pretty," "fine," "sufficient," or "no thank you" depending on context.

Kanji details 結 and 構

Character: 結 — tie, bind, contract, join, organize, do up hair, fasten
Radical: silk 糸 (糹)

Character: 構 — posture, stance, appearance, build, set up
Radical: tree 木

Example sentences with 結構 (Kekkou)

• 結構です。もう食べられません。
  (Kekkō desu. Mō taberaremasen.)
  🍽️ No thank you. I can't eat anymore.

• 彼女は結構頭がいいですね。
  (Kanojo wa kekkō atama ga ii desu ne.)
  🧠 She's quite smart, isn't she?

• これで結構です。ありがとうございます。
  (Kore de kekkō desu. Arigatō gozaimasu.)
  👌 This is fine/enough. Thank you.

結構 (Kekkou) in context

結構 is one of those chameleon words in Japanese that takes on different colors depending on its surroundings. When someone offers you more food and you're already full, a polite "結構です" (kekkō desu) is your go-to phrase for "No thank you, I'm good." It's a softer, more polite refusal than a direct "no."

When describing something, 結構 works as an intensifier similar to "quite" or "rather." Saying "結構難しい" (kekkō muzukashii) means "quite difficult" – not impossible, but definitely challenging.

The word can also express satisfaction or sufficiency. "これで結構です" (kore de kekkō desu) is a useful phrase meaning "this is fine" or "this is enough," perfect for situations like when a server asks if you need anything else.