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道Nihongo Path
英

英·England, excellent

On-yomi
エイ
Kun-yomi
none

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
英語えいごEnglish (language)
英会話えいかいわEnglish conversation
英国えいこくBritain
英文えいぶんEnglish writing

Example sentences

  1. 兄は英語の先生です。

    あにはえいごのせんせいです。

    My older brother is an English teacher.

  2. 駅前の学校で英会話を習っています。

    えきまえのがっこうでえいかいわをならっています。

    I'm learning English conversation at a school by the station.

  3. いつか英国に行ってみたいです。

    いつかえいこくにいってみたいです。

    I'd like to visit Britain one day.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 英 stands for Britain specifically (英国); it is not a general word for English-speaking countries.

Memory aid

Picture it

Grass (艹) at its very centre (央) — the finest flower of the field, hence 'excellent'.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 英 mean?