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道Nihongo Path
麺

麺·noodles

On-yomi
メン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
麺めんnoodles
麺類めんるいnoodle dishes
中華麺ちゅうかめんChinese-style noodles
麺棒めんぼうrolling pin

Example sentences

  1. この店は麺が太くて食べ応えがある。

    このみせはめんがふとくてたべごたえがある。

    The noodles at this shop are thick and filling.

  2. 昼は麺類で済ませることが多い。

    ひるはめんるいですませることがおおい。

    I often just have noodles for lunch.

  3. 生地を麺棒で薄く伸ばす。

    きじをめんぼうでうすくのばす。

    Roll the dough out thin with a rolling pin.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 面類 for 麺類 — the wheat radical is essential
  • 麺 is the noodle itself; the dish is ラーメン, うどん and so on

Memory aid

Picture it

Wheat 麦 on the left with 面 'surface' on the right — wheat dough pressed flat and cut into long strips.

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 麺 mean?