OKU Word Collection Guide: All Known Words and Locations

How Word Collection Works in OKU

Word collection is the foundation of everything you do in OKU. As you explore the game world, you observe natural features, plants, animals, and atmospheric phenomena. Each observation yields a word that is added to your vocabulary. Words are not simply picked up like items; you must actively focus on elements in the environment, pausing to appreciate a soaring Crane, a cascading Waterfall, or a blooming Cherry Blossom. This contemplative mechanic reinforces the game thematic focus on mindfulness and poetic awareness.

Your collected words appear in a personal lexicon organized by type: nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Each word also belongs to a thematic category such as Flora, Fauna, Water, Weather, Landscape, Celestial, or Emotion. Building a well-rounded vocabulary across all categories is critical for composing the poems required to unlock sealed areas, complete NPC quests, and progress the narrative surrounding the Departed Master.

All Confirmed Words by Type

The following words have been confirmed through exploration. Nouns include Stork (Fauna theme), Cherry Blossom (Flora theme), Waterfall (Water theme), and Crane (Fauna theme). Adjectives include Cascading (Water theme) and Delicate (Emotion theme). Verbs include Feels (Emotion theme) and Touches (Emotion theme). Additional words are likely discoverable in later areas and through thorough exploration of every location, so treat this list as a starting point rather than a complete catalog.

Each word type serves a distinct role in poem composition. Nouns act as the subject of a poetic line, grounding the verse in a concrete image. Verbs provide the action or feeling that connects the subject to its descriptors. Adjectives add emotional color and specificity. When building poems, you will typically need at least one noun, one verb, and one or two adjectives per line, so collecting a balanced set of all three types should be a priority.

Word Themes and Their Sources

Words are grouped into seven thematic categories, and each category tends to appear more frequently in certain locations. Flora words such as Cherry Blossom are commonly found in Lush Meadows, Bamboo Groves, and Temple Gardens, where plant life is abundant. Fauna words like Crane and Stork appear near bodies of water and in areas with visible wildlife, particularly around Pristine Spring Waters and Rolling Hills. Water-themed words including Waterfall and the adjective Cascading are concentrated around Rushing Rivers and Pristine Spring Waters.

Weather and Landscape words are more common in elevated or exposed areas such as Mountain Passes, Snowy Ridges, and Glacial Peaks. Celestial words tend to appear during specific lighting conditions or at scenic overlooks. Emotion-themed words, including the verb Feels and adjective Delicate, often emerge during NPC interactions or in quiet, contemplative spots within Temple Gardens and Autumn Forest. Visiting every location thoroughly and at different times will maximize your word collection.

Tips for Building a Diverse Vocabulary

To build the most complete vocabulary, explore every corner of each location before moving on. Interact with all visible environmental objects, not just the obvious ones. Some words are hidden behind movement ability challenges, so returning to earlier areas after unlocking Wind Riding, Cloud Walking, or Water Skimming can reveal previously inaccessible words. Talk to every NPC you encounter, as characters like the Disgruntled Fisherman and Tea Practitioner Nami sometimes grant words through dialogue. Finally, do not neglect less-visited locations; areas like the Autumn Forest and Mountain Passes contain unique vocabulary that you will not find elsewhere.