熟
熟·mellow, ripen, mature
- On-yomi
- じゅく
- Kun-yomi
- う.れる
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 熟練 | じゅくれん | skill, mastery |
| 成熟 | せいじゅく | maturity, ripening |
| 熟語 | じゅくご | compound word, idiom |
| 未熟 | みじゅく | immature, unripe |
| 熟れる | うれる | to ripen |
Example sentences
桃が熟れて甘くなった。
ももがうれてあまくなった。
The peaches ripened and turned sweet.
彼は熟練した技術者だ。
かれはじゅくれんしたぎじゅつしゃだ。
He is a skilled engineer.
機が熟すのを待とう。
きがじゅくすのをまとう。
Let us wait until the time is ripe.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 熟れる (うれる) is used of fruit ripening; 熟す (じゅくす) is the wider 'mature, become ripe' including plans and conditions.
- 熟語 is じゅくご — a set compound, not a 'mature word'.
Memory aid
Picture it
Fire 灬 burning underneath: heat applied over time until food is cooked through and fruit is ripe, so the kanji means 'mature'.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 熟 mean?