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道Nihongo Path
顕

顕·manifest, apparent

On-yomi
ケン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

18 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
顕著けんちょremarkable, marked, notable
顕微鏡けんびきょうmicroscope
顕在化けんざいかcoming to the surface, becoming apparent
顕彰けんしょうhonoring publicly

Example sentences

  1. 薬の効果は顕著に表れている。

    くすりのこうかはけんちょにあらわれている。

    The effect of the medicine is markedly apparent.

  2. 顕微鏡で細胞を観察した。

    けんびきょうでさいぼうをかんさつした。

    We observed the cells under a microscope.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 顕著 as けんちゃく
  • 顕在 (out in the open) is the opposite of 潜在 (latent) — do not mix the pair up

Memory aid

Picture it

㬎, threads held up to the sun, beside 頁 (head): holding something into the light where every head can see it clearly.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 顕 mean?