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道Nihongo Path
介

介·mediate, come between, care for

On-yomi
カイ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
紹介しょうかいintroduction
介護かいごnursing care
仲介ちゅうかいmediation, brokerage
介助かいじょassistance, aid (to a person)

Example sentences

  1. 友だちに妹を紹介した。

    ともだちにいもうとをしょうかいした。

    I introduced my younger sister to my friend.

  2. 母は祖母の介護をしています。

    ははそぼのかいごをしています。

    My mother takes care of my grandmother.

  3. この部屋は不動産会社の仲介で借りました。

    このへやはふどうさんがいしゃのちゅうかいでかりました。

    I rented this room through a real estate agency.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 紹介 as *しょかい — it is しょうかい with a long お
  • Assuming 介護 means 'protection'; 護 is protect, but 介護 specifically means care for the elderly or disabled

Memory aid

Picture it

A person under a roof with a line on each side — someone standing between two parties.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 介 mean?