斎
斎·purification, study room, religious abstinence
- On-yomi
- サイ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 書斎 | しょさい | study (room) |
| 斎場 | さいじょう | funeral hall, ceremonial site |
| 潔斎 | けっさい | ritual purification |
| 斎戒 | さいかい | purification and abstinence |
Example sentences
父は書斎で本を読んでいる。
ちちはしょさいでほんをよんでいる。
My father is reading a book in his study.
葬儀は市内の斎場で行われた。
そうぎはしないのさいじょうでおこなわれた。
The funeral was held at a ceremonial hall in the city.
祭りの前に潔斎する習わしがある。
まつりのまえにけっさいするならわしがある。
There is a custom of ritual purification before the festival.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 書斎 as しょさいしつ — 斎 already means the room
- 斎 is also common in surnames such as 斎藤, where it is read さい
Memory aid
Picture it
A neat, symmetrical frame with something enshrined inside: the quiet ordered room where one purifies oneself — or sits and studies.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 斎 mean?