総
総·total, general, overall
- On-yomi
- ソウ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 総理 | そうり | prime minister |
| 総合 | そうごう | comprehensive, overall |
| 総額 | そうがく | total amount |
| 総選挙 | そうせんきょ | general election |
Example sentences
費用の総額は百万円です。
ひようのそうがくはひゃくまんえんです。
The total cost is one million yen.
来月、総合病院で検査を受けます。
らいげつ、そうごうびょういんでけんさをうけます。
Next month I will have a test at the general hospital.
総理大臣が記者の質問に答えた。
そうりだいじんがきしゃのしつもんにこたえた。
The prime minister answered the reporters' questions.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Writing the left radical as 米 instead of 糸
- Using 総合 where 全部 is meant — 総合 means combining parts into a whole, not simply all of something
Memory aid
Picture it
Threads (糸) all gathered and tied into one bundle — everything added up into a total.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 総 mean?