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道Nihongo Path
鉛

鉛·lead (metal)

On-yomi
エン
Kun-yomi
なまり

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
鉛筆えんぴつpencil
鉛なまりlead (metal)
鉛管えんかんlead pipe
無鉛むえんunleaded

Example sentences

  1. 鉛筆で名前を書いてください。

    えんぴつでなまえをかいてください。

    Please write your name in pencil.

  2. 鉛は柔らかくて重い金属だ。

    なまりはやわらかくておもいきんぞくだ。

    Lead is a soft, heavy metal.

  3. 足が鉛のように重く感じた。

    あしがなまりのようにおもくかんじた。

    My legs felt as heavy as lead.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 鉛筆 as なまりふで — it is えんぴつ
  • Reading 鉛 alone as えん — on its own the metal is なまり

Memory aid

Picture it

Metal 金 with the same right-hand element as 沿 and 船: the soft metal that flows and follows along, poured into pipes and molds.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 鉛 mean?