艶
艶·gloss, lustre, charm, alluring
- On-yomi
- エン
- Kun-yomi
- つやあで(やか)なま(めかしい)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 艶 | つや | gloss, sheen, lustre |
| 色艶 | いろつや | complexion; lustre of colour |
| 艶やか | つややか | glossy, lustrous |
| 妖艶 | ようえん | bewitching, voluptuously charming |
Example sentences
髪に艶が出るシャンプーを使っている。
かみにつやがでるシャンプーをつかっている。
I use a shampoo that gives the hair a shine.
彼女は妖艶な雰囲気の女優だ。
かのじょはようえんなふんいきのじょゆうだ。
She is an actress with a bewitching air about her.
顔の色艶がよく、元気そうだ。
かおのいろつやがよく、げんきそうだ。
He has a good colour in his face and looks well.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 艶 alone as えん — on its own it is つや; えん appears in compounds like 妖艶
- Writing 艶やか as えんやか — it is つややか
Memory aid
Picture it
Abundance 豊 beside colour 色: colour laid on thick until it gleams — gloss, and by extension allure.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 艶 mean?