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道Nihongo Path
際

際·occasion, edge, when

On-yomi
サイ
Kun-yomi
きわ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
国際こくさいinternational
実際じっさいactually, in reality
際さいoccasion, time (when something happens)
交際こうさいassociation, dating

Example sentences

  1. 兄は国際的な会社で働いています。

    あにはこくさいてきなかいしゃではたらいています。

    My older brother works at an international company.

  2. 実際にやってみると難しかった。

    じっさいにやってみるとむずかしかった。

    When I actually tried it, it was difficult.

  3. お帰りの際は電気を消してください。

    おかえりのさいはでんきをけしてください。

    Please turn off the lights when you leave.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 実際 as *じつさい — it doubles to じっさい
  • 〜際に is formal written Japanese; in conversation 〜とき is normal

Memory aid

Picture it

A festival (祭) held right at the edge of the hill (阝) — the boundary, and the occasion that happens there.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 際 mean?