才
才·genius, years old, cubic shaku
- On-yomi
- さい
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 才能 | さいのう | talent, ability |
| 天才 | てんさい | genius |
| 秀才 | しゅうさい | bright, gifted person |
| 二十才 | にじゅっさい | twenty years old |
Example sentences
彼女には音楽の才能があります。
かのじょにはおんがくのさいのうがあります。
She has a talent for music.
弟は数学の天才だと言われています。
おとうとはすうがくのてんさいだといわれています。
My younger brother is said to be a maths genius.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 才 for age in formal writing — 歳 is the proper form; 才 is the casual shorthand
- Reading 天才 as てんざい instead of てんさい
Memory aid
Picture it
Three strokes of a shoot just breaking the ground: raw ability pushing up before anything is grown.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 才 mean?