What is the Kanji for 'Element'? | 素

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Element' is 素.

kanji

素

Meaning

Element

Reading

onyomiす

そ

Parts

糸Thread 龶Life (生)

Example Word

素: pure. The Japanese prefix '素 (そ)' conveys the idea of something being pure, unadulterated, or in its natural state. It is often used to describe things that are unprocessed, unrefined, or free from artificial elements. For example: pure water「素水」(そすい). This prefix can also imply simplicity or a lack of pretense, as in '素顔 (すがお) (bare face, no makeup)'. Additionally, it can be used in contexts related to skill or talent, such as '素人 (しろうと) (amateur, literally 'pure person')', which contrasts with '玄人 (くろうと) (professional)'. Example sentences: She has a pure heart「彼女は素心だ」(かのじょはそしんだ). I prefer natural ingredients「私は素の材料が好きです」(わたしはそのざいりょうがすきです).

Radical

糸

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

413

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 素

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

kanji

糸

Meaning

Thread

radical

龶

Meaning

Life

Radical Form Of

生

Words Using 素

This kanji is used in 12 words:

word

要素

Meaning

Element, Factor

word

素晴らしい

Meaning

Wonderful

word

素材

Meaning

Material

word

酸素

Meaning

Oxygen

word

素

Meaning

Pure

word

素直

Meaning

Honest

word

水素

Meaning

Hydrogen

word

素早い

Meaning

Quick

word

素敵

Meaning

Lovely

word

素人

Meaning

Amateur

word

酵素

Meaning

Enzyme

word

炭素

Meaning

Carbon

Kanji Related to 素 Through the Part 糸

These 59 kanji contain the part 糸 as well.

kanji

細

Meaning

Slender

kanji

線

Meaning

Line

kanji

紙

Meaning

Paper

kanji

絵

Meaning

Picture

kanji

組

Meaning

Association, Group

kanji

終

Meaning

End

kanji

練

Meaning

Practice

kanji

約

Meaning

Promise, Approximately

kanji

結

Meaning

Tie, Bind

kanji

絡

Meaning

Entwine, Interlink

kanji

続

Meaning

Continue

kanji

経

Meaning

Manage, Elapse

kanji

給

Meaning

Supply, Salary

kanji

紀

Meaning

Chronicle, Era

kanji

級

Meaning

Grade, Rank

kanji

系

Meaning

Lineage

kanji

織

Meaning

Weave

kanji

績

Meaning

Achievement

kanji

総

Meaning

General, Total

kanji

継

Meaning

Succeed, Inherit

kanji

緑

Meaning

Green

kanji

繰

Meaning

Reel, Spin

kanji

縮

Meaning

Shrink

kanji

紹

Meaning

Introduce

kanji

納

Meaning

Settlement

kanji

編

Meaning

Edit, Knit

kanji

絶

Meaning

Break off, Extinction

kanji

絹

Meaning

Silk

kanji

綿

Meaning

Cotton

kanji

縁

Meaning

Relation, Edge

kanji

統

Meaning

Unite

kanji

緒

Meaning

Beginning, Together

kanji

締

Meaning

Tighten, Bind

kanji

純

Meaning

Pure

kanji

緊

Meaning

Tense, Tighten

kanji

繁

Meaning

Thrive, Overgrown

kanji

紛

Meaning

In a tangle, Distract

kanji

索

Meaning

Search, Rope

kanji

縦

Meaning

Vertical

kanji

緩

Meaning

Easy, Loose

kanji

繊

Meaning

Fine, Fiber

kanji

維

Meaning

Fiber, Maintain

kanji

紳

Meaning

Belt, Gentleman

kanji

累

Meaning

Accumulate

kanji

紅

Meaning

Crimson

kanji

紡

Meaning

Spin, Spinning

kanji

緯

Meaning

Horizontal, Latitude

kanji

繕

Meaning

Mend, Darning

kanji

綱

Meaning

Rope, Hawser

kanji

網

Meaning

Net, Netting

kanji

縄

Meaning

Rope, Cord

kanji

縛

Meaning

Bind, Restrain

kanji

縫

Meaning

Sew

kanji

糾

Meaning

Twist, Inquire into

kanji

絞

Meaning

Wring, Strangle

kanji

紋

Meaning

Crest, Family crest

kanji

紺

Meaning

Dark blue, Navy

kanji

紫

Meaning

Purple, Violet

kanji

繭

Meaning

Cocoon

Kanji Related to 素 Through the Part 龶

These 4 kanji contain the part 龶 as well.

kanji

青

Meaning

Blue

kanji

表

Meaning

Surface, Express

kanji

責

Meaning

Blame, Liability

kanji

毒

Meaning

Poison

Learn the Kanji 素

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 素 mean?

素 means 'Element'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

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