ke

Ke is a short form used across different languages and domains, lacking a single, unified meaning. It functions as a syllable in writing systems, as a personal name element, and as a code or acronym in various fields.

In linguistic and writing systems, ke designates a syllable. In Japanese, it appears as the kana け in hiragana and ケ in katakana, representing the sound "ke." In Chinese, Ke can be a romanization for several surnames or given names, most notably 柯, though exact pronunciation varies by character and dialect.

As a personal name, Ke is used as a surname or given name in different cultures, appearing in public life and in fiction. Its use and spelling can vary, reflecting cultural practices in naming and transliteration.

In codes and abbreviations, KE has several established meanings. It is the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code for Kenya, and the Internet country code top-level domain for Kenya is .ke. KE is also the IATA airline designator for Korean Air. In physics, KE stands for kinetic energy, the energy an object possesses due to motion.

Ke thus serves as a flexible label in language, identity, and standardized codes, with meanings that depend on context.