我
我·I, oneself, ego, self
- On-yomi
- ガ
- Kun-yomi
- われわ(が)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 我慢 | がまん | patience, putting up with something |
| 我々 | われわれ | we, us (formal) |
| 自我 | じが | the self, ego |
| 我が国 | わがくに | our country |
Example sentences
痛みを我慢して歩き続けた。
いたみをがまんしてあるきつづけた。
I put up with the pain and kept walking.
我々は全力を尽くします。
われわれはぜんりょくをつくします。
We will give it everything we have.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 我々 as がが — it is われわれ
- Using 我々 in casual speech — it is formal and speech-making register; everyday 'we' is 私たち
Memory aid
Picture it
A hand gripping a halberd 戈: standing your own ground, weapon in hand — the self asserting itself.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 我 mean?