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道Nihongo Path
門

門·gate, field of study

On-yomi
モン
Kun-yomi
かど

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
専門せんもんspecialty, field
正門せいもんmain gate
門もんgate
入門にゅうもんintroduction, primer

Example sentences

  1. 正門の前で写真を撮りました。

    せいもんのまえでしゃしんをとりました。

    We took a photo in front of the main gate.

  2. 専門は何ですか。

    せんもんはなんですか。

    What is your field of study?

  3. この本は日本史の入門書として読みやすい。

    このほんはにほんしのにゅうもんしょとしてよみやすい。

    This book is easy to read as an introduction to Japanese history.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 専門 as せんもんか when only the field is meant — 専門家 is the specialist
  • Confusing 門 with 間 and 問, which are the same shape with something inside

Memory aid

Picture it

Two door panels drawn facing each other — you can see the gateway in the character itself.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 門 mean?