剣
剣·sword, blade
- On-yomi
- ケン
- Kun-yomi
- つるぎ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 剣道 | けんどう | kendo, Japanese fencing |
| 真剣 | しんけん | serious, in earnest |
| 剣 | つるぎ | sword (double-edged) |
| 短剣 | たんけん | dagger, short sword |
Example sentences
彼は真剣な顔で話を聞いていた。
かれはしんけんなかおではなしをきいていた。
He listened with a serious look on his face.
息子は小学生の時から剣道を習っている。
むすこはしょうがくせいのときからけんどうをならっている。
My son has been learning kendo since elementary school.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Writing 真険 or 真検 for 真剣
- Assuming 剣 and 刀 are the same: 剣 is a straight double-edged sword, 刀 the curved single-edged blade
Memory aid
Picture it
The 刂 knife on the right marks the blade; 真剣 literally means 'a real sword', which is why it now means doing something in deadly earnest.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 剣 mean?