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What is the Kanji for 'Character'? | 字

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Character', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Character' is 字.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Character

    Reading

    kunyomiあざ

    aza

    onyomi

    ji

    Parts

    Child Roof

    Example Word

    字: character. The Japanese noun '字 (じ)' primarily means 'character', referring to a written symbol, such as a kanji, hiragana, or katakana character. It is commonly used in contexts related to writing, reading, or learning characters. For example: I can't read this character「この字が読めない」(このじがよめない). Please write your name in kanji characters「名前を漢字で書いてください」(なまえをかんじでかいてください). The word can also refer to handwriting or the style of writing, as in 'beautiful handwriting'「きれいな字」(きれいなじ).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    370

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Child

    radical

    Meaning

    Roof

Words Using

This kanji is used in 12 words:

    word

    文字

    Meaning

    Character, Letter

    word

    ローマ字

    Meaning

    Romaji

    word

    名字

    Meaning

    Surname

    word

    Meaning

    Character

    word

    数字

    Meaning

    Number

    word

    十字路

    Meaning

    Crossroads

    word

    黒字

    Meaning

    Profit

    word

    活字

    Meaning

    Type

    word

    字引

    Meaning

    Dictionary

    word

    漢字

    Meaning

    Kanji

    word

    赤字

    Meaning

    Deficit

    word

    十字

    Meaning

    Cross

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 10 kanji contain the part 子 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Learn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Like, Fond

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exist, Suppose

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grandchildren

    kanji

    Meaning

    Season

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thick, Kind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Filial piety

    kanji

    Meaning

    Orphan, Solitary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Receive

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hole, Cavity

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 36 kanji contain the part 宀 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Room

    kanji

    Meaning

    House

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cheap, Relax

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cold

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lie down, Go to sleep

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Customer

    kanji

    Meaning

    Determine

    kanji

    宿

    Meaning

    Lodging

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fruit, Truth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guess

    kanji

    Meaning

    Government, Bureaucrat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Treasure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Protect

    kanji

    Meaning

    House

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wealth, Rich

    kanji

    Meaning

    Complete

    kanji

    Meaning

    Harm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Religion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Palace

    kanji

    Meaning

    Proclaim, Promulgate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Constitution

    kanji

    Meaning

    Banquet

    kanji

    Meaning

    Draw near

    kanji

    Meaning

    Contain, Looks

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dormitory

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hole

    kanji

    Meaning

    Midair

    kanji

    Meaning

    Quietly, Lonely

    kanji

    Meaning

    Magnanimous, Tolerance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Right, Best regards

    kanji

    Meaning

    Investigate, Judge

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wee hours, Early evening

    kanji

    Meaning

    Preside, Manager

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Few, Widow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Address

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 字 mean?

字 means 'Character'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in First Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.