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道Nihongo Path
状

状·condition, state, letter

On-yomi
ジョウ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
状態じょうたいstate, condition
状況じょうきょうsituation, circumstances
年賀状ねんがじょうNew Year's card
招待状しょうたいじょうwritten invitation

Example sentences

  1. 祖母の体の状態はよくなりました。

    そぼのからだのじょうたいはよくなりました。

    My grandmother's physical condition has improved.

  2. 今の状況を説明してください。

    いまのじょうきょうをせつめいしてください。

    Please explain the current situation.

  3. 毎年、友達に年賀状を書きます。

    まいとし、ともだちにねんがじょうをかきます。

    Every year I write New Year's cards to my friends.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 年賀状 as ねんがしょう instead of ねんがじょう
  • Confusing 状態 (the condition something is in) with 状況 (the surrounding situation)

Memory aid

Picture it

A dog (犬) tied beside a plank — you can see at a glance what condition it is in.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 状 mean?