県
県·prefecture
- On-yomi
- ケン
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 県 | けん | prefecture |
| 県庁 | けんちょう | prefectural government office |
| 県立 | けんりつ | prefectural (run by the prefecture) |
| 都道府県 | とどうふけん | the prefectures of Japan (all four types) |
Example sentences
私は千葉県に住んでいます。
わたしはちばけんにすんでいます。
I live in Chiba Prefecture.
兄は県立の高校に通っています。
あにはけんりつのこうこうにかよっています。
My older brother goes to a prefectural high school.
この道を行くと、県庁の前に出ます。
このみちをいくと、けんちょうのまえにでます。
If you go along this road, you come out in front of the prefectural office.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Treating 東京都, 大阪府 and 北海道 as 県 — those three use 都, 府 and 道 instead
- Reading 県庁 as *けんちょ instead of けんちょう
Memory aid
Picture it
A tilted eye (目) watching over a wide base — the regional authority keeping an eye on the whole prefecture.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 県 mean?