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道Nihongo Path
浅

浅·shallow, superficial, light (colour)

On-yomi
セン
Kun-yomi
あさ(い)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
浅いあさいshallow
浅瀬あさせshallows, shoal
遠浅とおあさshallow far out (of a beach)
浅緑あさみどりlight green

Example sentences

  1. この川は浅いです。

    このかわはあさいです。

    This river is shallow.

  2. この海岸は遠浅なので子どもでも安全だ。

    このかいがんはとおあさなのでこどもでもあんぜんだ。

    This beach stays shallow a long way out, so it's safe even for children.

  3. 付き合いはまだ浅いが、気が合う。

    つきあいはまだあさいが、きがあう。

    We haven't known each other long, but we get on well.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 遠浅 as えんせん instead of とおあさ
  • Forgetting that 浅い also covers time and experience: 経験が浅い means inexperienced

Memory aid

Picture it

Water (氵) with only a little left — the same right-hand piece as in 残, what remains: a shallow puddle.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 浅 mean?