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道Nihongo Path
幹

幹·tree trunk, main part, core

On-yomi
カン
Kun-yomi
みき

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
新幹線しんかんせんShinkansen, bullet train
幹部かんぶexecutive, senior staff
幹事かんじorganizer (of a party or group)
幹みきtrunk (of a tree)

Example sentences

  1. 新幹線で大阪へ行きました。

    しんかんせんでおおさかへいきました。

    I went to Osaka by bullet train.

  2. 太い木の幹に手を当ててみた。

    ふといきのみきにてをあててみた。

    I put my hand against the thick trunk of the tree.

  3. 今年の忘年会は私が幹事を務めます。

    ことしのぼうねんかいはわたしがかんじをつとめます。

    I will be the organizer for this year's end-of-year party.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 幹事 as かんごと — it is かんじ
  • Writing 乾線 for 幹線 (main line) — the right-hand 干 is the 'main pole'

Memory aid

Picture it

The right side is 干, a straight pole: 幹 is the one upright pole a tree — or an organization — is built around.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 幹 mean?