曹
曹·office, official, comrade
- On-yomi
- ソウ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 重曹 | じゅうそう | baking soda; sodium bicarbonate |
| 法曹 | ほうそう | the legal profession |
| 法曹界 | ほうそうかい | legal circles |
| 軍曹 | ぐんそう | sergeant |
Example sentences
掃除に重曹を使うと汚れがよく落ちる。
そうじにじゅうそうをつかうとよごれがよくおちる。
Dirt comes off well if you use baking soda for cleaning.
彼は長く法曹界で働いてきた。
かれはながくほうそうかいではたらいてきた。
He has worked in legal circles for a long time.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 重曹 is じゅうそう — the everyday word printed on cleaning products
- 法曹 covers judges, prosecutors and lawyers together
Memory aid
Picture it
Two bundles side by side above 曰 (to speak): ranks of officials lined up, each in their own office.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 曹 mean?