Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
慎

慎·prudent, discreet, careful

On-yomi
シン
Kun-yomi
つつし(む)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

13 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
慎重しんちょうcareful, cautious
慎むつつしむto be discreet, to refrain from
謹慎きんしんbeing confined at home as a penalty
慎ましいつつましいmodest, humble

Example sentences

  1. 彼は慎重に車を運転する。

    かれはしんちょうにくるまをうんてんする。

    He drives carefully.

  2. ここではタバコを慎んでください。

    ここではタバコをつつしんでください。

    Please refrain from smoking here.

  3. 慎重に検討した上で決めます。

    しんちょうにけんとうしたうえできめます。

    I will decide after careful consideration.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 慎重 as しんじゅう — it is しんちょう
  • Confusing 慎重 (cautious) with 貴重 (きちょう, precious)

Memory aid

Picture it

A heart (忄) kept true (真) — holding yourself in check rather than acting on impulse.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 慎 mean?