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道Nihongo Path
参

参·participate, go (humble)

On-yomi
サン
Kun-yomi
まいる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
参加さんかparticipation
参るまいるto go, to come (humble)
参考さんこうreference
お参りおまいりvisiting a shrine or temple to pray

Example sentences

  1. 今年もマラソンに参加します。

    ことしもマラソンにさんかします。

    I'm taking part in the marathon again this year.

  2. その本はとても参考になりました。

    そのほんはとてもさんこうになりました。

    That book was very helpful as a reference.

  3. 三時にそちらへ参ります。

    さんじにそちらへまいります。

    I will come over at three o'clock.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Using 参る about someone else's movement — it is humble, so only for yourself or your group
  • Saying 会議を参加する — the particle is に: 会議に参加する

Memory aid

Picture it

Three streaks of hair sweeping down at the bottom — a crowd of people streaming in to join.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 参 mean?