Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
寧

寧·peaceful, rather, careful

On-yomi
ネイ
Kun-yomi
むし.ろ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
丁寧ていねいpolite, careful
丁寧語ていねいごpolite language
安寧あんねいpublic peace, tranquillity
寧ろむしろrather, if anything

Example sentences

  1. 彼はいつも丁寧な言葉で話す。

    かれはいつもていねいなことばではなす。

    He always speaks in polite language.

  2. 字を丁寧に書いてください。

    じをていねいにかいてください。

    Please write the characters carefully.

  3. 社会の安寧を守るのが警察の仕事だ。

    しゃかいのあんねいをまもるのがけいさつのしごとだ。

    Protecting public peace is the job of the police.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 丁寧 is ていねい, not ちょうねい.
  • むしろ is usually written in kana; 寧ろ is the formal spelling.

Memory aid

Picture it

Under a roof 宀, a heart 心 and a dish 皿 set out: the household is fed and calm, so all is at peace.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 寧 mean?