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The word 【くら】 can be written with any of the kanji 蔵, 倉, or 庫. However,
[WWWJDIC](http://wwwjdic.mygengo.com/cgi-data/wwwjdic?1MDJ%C1%D2) lists them
all under one entry, defined as:

> (n) warehouse; cellar; magazine; granary; godown; depository; treasury;
> elevator;

Is there a difference in nuance or usage between these three kanji, and if so,
what?

**Update:** @istrasci points out that:

> [When] 蔵 is used as【〜ぞう】in compounds, it's used to denote ownership or
> possession.
>
> Whereas compounds with 庫 seem to refer more to a physical storage facility.

Does anybody know about different nuances of the word 【くら】 itself?
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2011-06-30T19:09:47.480
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2014-06-25T03:57:47.410
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question
word-choice words nuances kanji kanji-choice
What is the difference between 蔵, 倉, and 庫?
As far as using them strictly for the word 【くら】, I'm not sure of any nuances.
But when 蔵 is used as【〜ぞう】in compounds, it's used to denote ownership or
possession.

> 私蔵 【しぞう】 → Private collection  
>  家蔵 【かぞう】 → Household collections  
>  所蔵 【しょぞう】→ To have in your possession (== 所有)  
>  蔵書 【ぞうしょ】→ Collection of books / a library

Whereas compounds with 庫 seem to refer more to a physical storage facility.

> 車庫 【しゃこ】 → Garage  
>  金庫 【きんこ／かねぐら】 → Vault/treasury  
>  武器庫【ぶきこ】 → Armory

Still the meanings seem to overlap even in a lot of compound words.
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2011-06-30T22:39:27.223
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Here's what a person who's been immersed in the Japanese culture for 22 years
imagine when she sees them without much context.

## 蔵

![picture of 蔵](https://i.stack.imgur.com/hMO3N.png)

  * Where it can be found: In the estate of an old family, or as a cellar of a sake brewery. Usually in a place crowded with other buildings (hence the backside of the kura is blurred in the picture).
  * What's inside: Something valuable, treasures, or simply old and unused things for special occassions.
  * Height: 2-3 stories.

## 倉

![picture of 倉](https://i.stack.imgur.com/QqX1P.png)

  * Where: In the rural districts.
  * What's inside: Farming tools, stored rice and unused things (of everyday use).
  * Height: 1-2 stories.

## 庫

![picture of 庫](https://i.stack.imgur.com/vo6Xv.png)

Note: I didn't know 庫 can be read as くら. These are the impressions I have
about the kanji itself.

  * Where: In a house or any other building, or as a part of one.
  * What's inside: Something valuable, or other trinkets. Usually contains a single type of things.
  * Height: Can vary in size. Usually box-shaped and smaller than 倉.
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2011-07-12T18:45:55.993
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**新選漢和辞典第六版付録同訓異義要覧八七頁**

> # 【くら】
>
> **〔倉〕**
>
> 米【こめ】ぐら。穀物【こくもつ】ぐら。
>
> **〔蔵〕**
>
> 大切【たいせつ】なものをしまっておく所【ところ】。
>
> **〔庫〕**
>
> 武器【ぶき】や車【くるま】をおさめる所【ところ】。
>
> **〔府〕**
>
> 金【かね】や品物【しなもの】をしまう所【ところ】。
>
> **〔廩〕**
>
> 米【こめ】ぐら。屋根【やね】のあるくら。

I still think it should be called 同義異訓要覧.
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2014-06-25T09:44:16.043
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