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道Nihongo Path
冶

冶·smelting, metalworking

On-yomi
や
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
冶金やきんmetallurgy
鍛冶かじsmithing, forging
鍛冶屋かじやblacksmith, smithy
刀鍛冶かたなかじswordsmith

Example sentences

  1. 大学で冶金を学んでいます。

    だいがくでやきんをまなんでいます。

    I am studying metallurgy at university.

  2. 村に古い鍛冶屋が残っている。

    むらにふるいかじやがのこっている。

    An old smithy still stands in the village.

  3. 刀鍛冶の技術には長い訓練が必要だ。

    かたなかじのぎじゅつにはながいくんれんがひつようだ。

    A swordsmith's skill takes long training.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 冶金 as 治金 — the correct character has two strokes on the left, not three
  • Reading 鍛冶 as たんや — the fixed reading is かじ

Memory aid

Picture it

Two strokes of ice 冫 beside 台 (a stand): metal melted on the furnace stand, then chilled hard again into a blade.

Quick check

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What does the kanji 冶 mean?