賢
賢·wise, clever
- On-yomi
- ケン
- Kun-yomi
- かしこ(い)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 賢い | かしこい | wise, smart |
| 賢明 | けんめい | wise, sensible |
| 賢者 | けんじゃ | a wise person, sage |
| 先賢 | せんけん | wise men of the past |
Example sentences
この犬はとても賢い。
このいぬはとてもかしこい。
This dog is very smart.
今は待つほうが賢明だと思う。
いまはまつほうがけんめいだとおもう。
I think it's wiser to wait for now.
賢い買い物の仕方を教えてもらった。
かしこいかいもののしかたをおしえてもらった。
I was taught a smart way to shop.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 賢い where 頭がいい is more natural about a person's schoolwork
- Reading 賢明 as かしこめい — it is けんめい
Memory aid
Picture it
A firm hand over money (貝) — the wisdom to handle what you have.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 賢 mean?