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道Nihongo Path
敢

敢·daring, bold

On-yomi
カン
Kun-yomi
あ(えて)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
勇敢ゆうかんbrave, valiant
敢えてあえてdaringly, deliberately
果敢かかんresolute, determined
敢行かんこうcarrying out boldly

Example sentences

  1. 彼は勇敢に立ち向かった。

    かれはゆうかんにたちむかった。

    He faced it bravely.

  2. 敢えて反対意見を言わせてもらう。

    あえてはんたいいけんをいわせてもらう。

    Let me deliberately voice the opposing view.

  3. チームは果敢に攻めた。

    チームはかかんにせめた。

    The team attacked boldly.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 敢えて as かんえて — it is あえて
  • Reading 果敢 as かだん — it is かかん

Memory aid

Picture it

An ear (耳-like element) beside a raised hand (攵) — stepping forward to act even when warned off.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 敢 mean?