創
創·create, originate, found, establish, wound
- On-yomi
- ソウ
- Kun-yomi
- つく(る)きず
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 創造 | そうぞう | creation |
| 創立 | そうりつ | founding (of an institution) |
| 創業 | そうぎょう | founding (of a business) |
| 独創的 | どくそうてき | original, inventive |
Example sentences
この学校は百年前に創立された。
このがっこうはひゃくねんまえにそうりつされた。
This school was founded a hundred years ago.
彼の独創的な発想に驚いた。
かれのどくそうてきなはっそうにおどろいた。
I was amazed by his original thinking.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Mixing 創造 (そうぞう, creating something) with 想像 (そうぞう, imagining something)
- Using 創る for everyday making — ordinary 'make' is 作る; 創る is reserved for bringing something new into being
Memory aid
Picture it
倉 (storehouse) with a knife 刂: the first cut that opens new ground. The same cut explains the older sense 'wound'.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 創 mean?