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道Nihongo Path
凡

凡·ordinary, all, general

On-yomi
ボンハン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
平凡へいぼんordinary, commonplace
凡人ぼんじんordinary person
非凡ひぼんextraordinary, uncommon
凡例はんれいexplanatory notes, legend (of a map)

Example sentences

  1. 私は平凡な毎日を送っている。

    わたしはへいぼんなまいにちをおくっている。

    I lead an ordinary daily life.

  2. 彼女には非凡な才能がある。

    かのじょにはひぼんなさいのうがある。

    She has extraordinary talent.

  3. 地図の凡例を見れば記号の意味がわかる。

    ちずのはんれいをみればきごうのいみがわかる。

    Check the map's legend and you'll see what the symbols mean.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 凡例 as ぼんれい — this compound uses the ハン reading: はんれい
  • 非凡 is the opposite of 平凡, not a stronger version of it

Memory aid

Picture it

Three plain strokes and nothing more — the simplest shape in the set, for the most ordinary of things.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 凡 mean?