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道Nihongo Path
算

算·calculate, count

On-yomi
サン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
計算けいさんcalculation
予算よさんbudget
暗算あんざんmental arithmetic
計算機けいさんきcalculator

Example sentences

  1. 計算が間違っていました。

    けいさんがまちがっていました。

    The calculation was wrong.

  2. 今年の予算はもう決まりましたか。

    ことしのよさんはもうきまりましたか。

    Has this year's budget been decided yet?

  3. 弟は暗算がとても速くて驚いた。

    おとうとはあんざんがとてもはやくておどろいた。

    I was amazed at how fast my little brother does mental arithmetic.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 暗算 as あんさん — it voices to あんざん
  • Confusing 予算 (a budget) with 予定 (a schedule)

Memory aid

Picture it

Bamboo counting rods on top, eyes (目) watching, hands (廾) below — the old abacus in one character.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 算 mean?