If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for
"Building", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for
"Building"
is "館".
This kanji has 3 readings:
Its kunyomi readings are "Tate" and "Yakata".
Its onyomi reading is "Kan".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The radical "飠" means "Eat"
. And The kanji "官" means "Government" and "Bureaucrat"
and can be read as "Kan".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "館" mean in japanese?
"館" means
"Building"
.
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N4 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
図書館: "Library". The Japanese noun '図書館 (としょかん)' refers to a 'library', a place where books, magazines, and other materials are kept for reading, studying, or borrowing. It is a common word used in everyday conversation and formal contexts. For example: I went to the library「図書館に行きました」(としょかんにいきました). The library is quiet「図書館は静かです」(としょかんはしずかです). This word is often used in combination with other words to specify the type of library, such as 'public library' (公立図書館, こうりつとしょかん) or 'university library' (大学図書館, だいがくとしょかん). 館: "Hall". The Japanese suffix '館 (かん)' is commonly used to denote a building or facility dedicated to a specific purpose. It is often attached to nouns to form compound words that describe the type of building or establishment. For example: library「図書館」(としょかん), museum「博物館」(はくぶつかん), gym「体育館」(たいいくかん). This suffix is widely used in names of public and private buildings, indicating their function or the activities that take place there. 大使館: "Embassy". The Japanese noun '大使館 (たいしかん)' refers to an 'embassy', which is the official residence or offices of an ambassador and their staff in a foreign country. It is a place where diplomatic activities are conducted, such as issuing visas, assisting citizens abroad, and fostering international relations. For example: The embassy is located in Tokyo「大使館は東京にあります」(たいしかんはとうきょうにあります). I went to the embassy to apply for a visa「ビザを申請するために大使館に行きました」(びざをしんせいするためにたいしかんにいきました). The term is commonly used in formal contexts and is essential for discussions about international diplomacy and travel. 映画館: "Cinema". The Japanese noun '映画館 (えいがかん)' refers to a 'cinema' or 'movie theater', a place where films are shown to the public. This word is commonly used when discussing going out to watch movies. For example: Let's go to the cinema「映画館に行きましょう」(えいがかんにいきましょう). The cinema is crowded today「今日は映画館が混んでいます」(きょうはえいがかんがこんでいます). It's important to note that '映画館' specifically refers to the physical location where movies are screened, distinguishing it from other related terms like '映画 (えいが)', which simply means 'movie' or 'film'. 美術館: "Art museum". The Japanese noun '美術館 (びじゅつかん)' means 'art museum'. It refers to a facility or institution where works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and other visual arts, are displayed for public viewing. This word is commonly used when discussing cultural activities, tourism, or education. For example: Let's go to the art museum「美術館に行きましょう」(びじゅつかんにいきましょう). The art museum is closed today「美術館は今日休みです」(びじゅつかんはきょうやすみです). The word is often used in contexts related to appreciating or studying art. 博物館: "Museum". The Japanese noun '博物館 (はくぶつかん)' means 'museum'. It refers to a place where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural significance are stored and exhibited for public viewing. This word is commonly used in contexts related to education, tourism, and cultural activities. For example: I went to the museum yesterday「昨日、博物館に行きました」(きのう、はくぶつかんにいきました). The museum has many interesting exhibits「その博物館には面白い展示がたくさんあります」(そのはくぶつかんにはおもしろいてんじがたくさんあります). The word is often paired with specific types of museums, such as 'art museum' (美術館, びじゅつかん) or 'science museum' (科学博物館, かがくはくぶつかん). 水族館: "Aquarium". The Japanese noun '水族館 (すいぞくかん)' refers to an 'aquarium', a facility where aquatic animals and plants are kept and displayed for public viewing. This word is commonly used to describe places that house marine life, such as fish, dolphins, and other sea creatures, often for educational or entertainment purposes. Example sentences: Let's go to the aquarium「水族館に行きましょう」(すいぞくかんにいきましょう). The aquarium has many colorful fish「その水族館にはたくさんの色とりどりの魚がいます」(そのすいぞくかんにはたくさんのいろとりどりのさかながいます). 旅館: "Inn". The Japanese noun '旅館 (りょかん)' refers to a traditional Japanese inn, often featuring tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other Japanese-style amenities. These inns are commonly found in hot spring areas and are known for their hospitality and traditional meals. For example: I stayed at a Japanese inn「私は旅館に泊まり ました」(わたしはりょかんにとまりました). This inn serves delicious meals「この旅館は美味しい食事を提供します」(このりょかんはおいしいしょくじをていきょうします). The term is distinct from Western-style hotels and emphasizes a cultural experience. 領事館: "Consulate". The Japanese noun '領事館 (りょうじかん)' refers to a 'consulate', which is an office or building where a consul works. A consul is a government official who represents their country in a foreign city, helping citizens of their own country who are traveling or living there. The consulate provides services such as issuing visas, assisting with legal matters, and offering support in emergencies. Example sentences: I went to the consulate to renew my passport「領事館にパスポートの更新に行きました」(りょうじかんにぱすぽーとのこうしんにいきました). The consulate is located in the city center「領事館は市の中心にあります」(りょうじかんはしのちゅうしんにあります). To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "か" is read as "ka". The hiragana "ん" is read as "n". The hiragana "た" is read as "ta". The hiragana "て" is read as "te". And The hiragana "や" is read as "ya".