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道Nihongo Path
歓

歓·delight, joy, welcome

On-yomi
カン
Kun-yomi
よろこ(ぶ)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
歓迎かんげいwelcome
歓声かんせいcheer, shout of joy
歓喜かんきgreat joy, delight
歓楽街かんらくがいentertainment district

Example sentences

  1. 新入生を歓迎する会を開いた。

    しんにゅうせいをかんげいするかいをひらいた。

    We held a party to welcome the new students.

  2. 場内に大きな歓声が上がった。

    じょうないにおおきなかんせいがあがった。

    A great cheer went up inside the venue.

  3. 優勝の知らせに町は歓喜に包まれた。

    ゆうしょうのしらせにまちはかんきにつつまれた。

    The town was swept up in joy at the news of the championship.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 歓ぶ is a rare written variant — everyday 'to be glad' is 喜ぶ
  • Reading 歓迎 as かんむかえ — it is かんげい

Memory aid

Picture it

欠 on the right is a person with the mouth wide open: here it is open in delight, not in a yawn.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 歓 mean?