肝
肝·liver, crucial
- On-yomi
- カン
- Kun-yomi
- きも
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 肝臓 | かんぞう | liver |
| 肝心 | かんじん | essential, crucial |
| 肝 | きも | liver; guts, nerve |
| 肝炎 | かんえん | hepatitis |
Example sentences
お酒の飲みすぎは肝臓に悪い。
おさけののみすぎはかんぞうにわるい。
Drinking too much is bad for your liver.
ここが一番肝心なところだ。
ここがいちばんかんじんなところだ。
This is the most crucial part.
突然の物音に肝を冷やした。
とつぜんのものおとにきもをひやした。
The sudden noise gave me a real fright.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 肝心 as かんしん — 関心 (かんしん, interest) is a different word
- Forgetting the figurative sense: 肝 also means nerve or courage (肝が据わる)
Memory aid
Picture it
Flesh (月) plus 干 'to dry out' — the organ that dries and filters everything you drink.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 肝 mean?