絹
絹·silk
- On-yomi
- ケン
- Kun-yomi
- きぬ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 絹 | きぬ | silk |
| 絹糸 | けんし | silk thread |
| 絹織物 | きぬおりもの | silk fabric |
| 人絹 | じんけん | rayon, artificial silk |
Example sentences
このスカーフは絹でできている。
このすかーふはきぬでできている。
This scarf is made of silk.
絹の着物は手入れが大変だ。
きぬのきものはていれがたいへんだ。
Silk kimono are hard to look after.
この地方は昔から絹織物で有名だ。
このちほうはむかしからきぬおりものでゆうめいだ。
This region has long been famous for silk fabric.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 絹糸 as きぬいと in formal contexts — the standard compound reading is けんし
- Confusing 絹 (silk, きぬ) with 綿 (cotton, わた)
Memory aid
Picture it
Thread (糸) unwound from a silkworm's little cocoon on the right — the finest thread of all.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 絹 mean?