為
為·do, act, for the sake of, because of
- On-yomi
- イ
- Kun-yomi
- ためな(す)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 行為 | こうい | act, deed, conduct |
| 為替 | かわせ | money exchange, exchange rate |
| 人為的 | じんいてき | artificial, man-made |
| 為に | ために | for the sake of; because of |
Example sentences
その行為は法律で禁じられている。
そのこういはほうりつできんじられている。
That act is prohibited by law.
円高の為替相場が続いている。
えんだかのかわせそうばがつづいている。
The strong-yen exchange rate is continuing.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 為替 as ためかえ — it is かわせ, a jukujikun for the pair
- Writing 〜の為に in ordinary text — modern Japanese normally writes this ために in kana
Memory aid
Picture it
A hand reaching down over the four dots: a hand at work. Hence 'do, act' — and the 'for the sake of' sense that you now mostly meet as ために.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 為替相場かわせそうばexchange rate, foreign exchange market rate
- 為替差益かわせさえきforeign exchange gain
- 為さるなさるto do (honorific)
- その為そのためhence; therefore; for that reason
- 為来りしきたりcustom; established practice; convention
- 行為こういact; deed; conduct
- 為ためin order to; for the sake of; because of
- 所為せいcause, reason, fault (for a bad result)
- 為るするto do, to make, to carry out
- 為替かわせforeign exchange
- 為すなすto do, to perform, to accomplish
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 為 mean?