If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for
"Gender" and "Sex", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for
"Gender" and "Sex"
is "性".
This kanji has 2 readings:
Its onyomi readings are "Shou" and "Sei".
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 component "忄"
. And The kanji "生" means "Life"
and can be read as "Nama", "U", "Shou", "Sei" and "I".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "性" mean in japanese?
"性" means
"Gender" and "Sex"
.
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
女性: "Woman". The Japanese noun '女性 (じょせい)' means 'woman'. It refers to an adult human female and is commonly used in formal and everyday contexts. This term is neutral and can be used in various settings, such as describing someone's gender, discussing women in society, or referring to a group of women. For example: She is a strong woman「彼女は強い女性です」(かのじょはつよいじょせいです). Many women work in this company「この会社には多くの女性が働いています」(このかいしゃにはおおくのじょせいがはたらいています). The word is distinct from '女の人 (おんなのひと)', which is more casual and conversational. 男性: "Male". The Japanese noun '男性 (だんせい)' means 'male'. It refers to the male gender and is commonly used to describe adult men. This term is neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts. For example: He is a male teacher「彼は男性の先生です」(かれはだんせいのせんせいです). The male population is increasing「男性の人口が増えています」(だんせいのじんこうがふえています). It is often used in contrast to '女性 (じょせい)', which means 'female'. The word can also appear in compound nouns, such as '男性用 (だんせいよう)', meaning 'for men'. 性格: "Personality". The Japanese noun '性格 (せいかく)' refers to a person's inherent traits, temperament, or personality. It is commonly used to describe someone's nature or behavioral tendencies. For example: She has a cheerful personality「彼女は明るい性格です」(かのじょはあかるいせいかくです). His personality is very serious「彼の性格はとても真面目です」(かれのせいかくはとてもまじめです). This word is neutral and can describe both positive and negative traits. It is often used in conversations about people's characteristics or compatibility. 性質: "Nature" or "Property". The Japanese noun '性質 (せいしつ)' refers to the inherent characteristics or qualities of a person, thing, or phenomenon. It can mean 'nature' when describing someone's personality or temperament, or 'property' when referring to the characteristics of materials or substances. For example: His nature is gentle「彼の性質は優しい」(かれのせいしつはやさしい). This material has unique properties「この材料は独特な性質を持っている」(このざいりょうはどくとくなせいしつをもっている). The word is often used in both scientific and everyday contexts to describe essential traits. 性: "Gender" or "Nature". The Japanese noun '性 (せい)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'gender', referring to the classification of being male or female. For example: gender equality「性の平等」(せいのびょうどう). The second meaning is 'nature', referring to the inherent characteristics or essence of something. For example: human nature「人間の性」(にんげんのせい). This word is often used in compound nouns to specify a particular type of nature or gender. It is important to distinguish between these two meanings based on the context in which the word is used. 性別: "Gender". The Japanese noun '性別 (せいべつ)' refers to 'gender', specifically the classification of individuals as male, female, or other. It is commonly used in contexts discussing identity, demographics, or social issues. For example: What is your gender?「あなたの性別は何ですか?」(あなたのせいべつはなんですか?). Gender equality is important「性別の平等は大切です」(せいべつのびょうどうはたいせつです). This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. 女性的: "Feminine". The Japanese adjective '女性的 (じょせいてき)' means 'feminine'. It is used to describe qualities, characteristics, or behaviors that are traditionally associated with women or femininity. This word can be applied to people, objects, or even abstract concepts. For example: She has a feminine way of speaking「彼女は女性的な話し方をする」(かのじょはじょせいてきなはなしかたをする). This dress has a very feminine design「このドレスはとても女性的なデザインです」(このドレスはとてもじょせいてきなデザインです). The term often carries a positive connotation, emphasizing grace, elegance, or delicacy. 個性: "Individuality". The Japanese noun '個性 (こせい)' refers to 'individuality' or the unique characteristics that distinguish one person or thing from others. It is often used in contexts discussing personal traits, creativity, or the distinct qualities of a person or object. For example: She has a strong individuality「彼女は強い個性を持っている」(かのじょはつよいこせいをもっている). This artist's work reflects his individuality「このアーティストの作品は彼の個性を反映している」(このアーティストのさくひんはかれのこせいをはんえいしている). The word is commonly used in educational, artistic, and professional settings to emphasize the importance of uniqueness. 異性: "Opposite sex". The Japanese noun '異性 (いせい)' refers to the 'opposite sex'. It is commonly used in contexts discussing relationships, gender dynamics, or biological distinctions. For example: He is interested in the opposite sex「彼は異性に興味がある」(かれはいせいに関心がある). The event is for people of the opposite sex to meet「そのイベントは異性が出会うためのものです」(そのイベントはいせいがであうためのものです). This term is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. 活性: "Activation". The Japanese noun '活性 (かっせい)' means 'activation'. It is commonly used in scientific, technical, or biological contexts to describe the process of making something active or functional. For example: the activation of enzymes「酵素の活性」(こうそのかっせい). This term can also be used metaphorically to describe the revitalization or energizing of something, such as a business or community. For example: the activation of the local economy「地域経済の活性」(ちいきけいざいのかっせい). Note that this word is often paired with other terms to form compound nouns, such as '活性化 (かっせいか)' (activation/revitalization). 理性: "Reason". The Japanese noun '理性 (りせい)' refers to 'reason' or 'rationality'. It is used to describe the human capacity for logical thinking, judgment, and decision-making, often in contrast to emotions or instincts. This word is commonly used in philosophical, psychological, or everyday contexts to discuss rational thought. For example: He acted based on reason「彼は理性に基づいて行動した」(かれはりせいにもとづいてこうどうした). Losing reason in anger is dangerous「怒りで理性を失うのは危険だ」(いかりでりせいをうしなうのはきけんだ). The word can also imply self-control or the ability to think calmly and logically. 性能: "Performance". The Japanese noun '性能 (せいのう)' refers to the performance, capability, or efficiency of a machine, device, or system. It is commonly used in technical or mechanical contexts to describe how well something functions. For example: This car has excellent performance「この車は性能が優れている」(このくるまはせいのうがすぐれている). The performance of this computer is impressive「このコンピュータの性能は素晴らしい」(このコンピュータのせいのうはすばらしい). It can also be used in broader contexts, such as evaluating the performance of a product or system. 特性: "Characteristic". The Japanese noun '特性 (とくせい)' means 'characteristic' or 'property'. It refers to a distinctive feature or quality that defines something or someone. This word is often used in scientific, technical, or descriptive contexts to highlight specific attributes. For example: the characteristics of this material are unique「この材料の特性はユニークです」(このざいりょうのとくせいはユニークです). Each animal has its own characteristics「それぞれの動物には独自の特性がある」(それぞれのどうぶつにはどくじのとくせいがある). The word can also be used in abstract contexts, such as describing personality traits or inherent qualities. 同性: "Same sex". The Japanese noun '同性 (どうせい)' means 'same-sex'. It is used to refer to people of the same gender or sex. This term is often used in contexts related to relationships, communities, or discussions about gender. For example: They are in a same-sex relationship「彼らは同性の関係です」(かれらはどうせいのかんけいです). The event is for same-sex couples only「そのイベントは同性のカップルのみです」(そのイベントはどうせいのかっぷるのみです). The word can also be used in broader contexts, such as '同性愛 (どうせいあい)' meaning 'homosexuality'. 男性的: "Masculine". The Japanese adjective '男性的 (だんせいてき)' means 'masculine'. It is used to describe qualities, characteristics, or behaviors that are traditionally associated with men, such as strength, assertiveness, or physical appearance. This word can be applied to people, traits, or even objects that evoke a masculine impression. For example: He has a masculine appearance「彼は男性的な外見だ」(かれはだんせいてきながいけんだ). This design feels very masculine「このデザインはとても男性的だ」(このデザインはとてもだんせいてきだ). Note that this word is often used in a descriptive or comparative context, and it carries a neutral to positive connotation depending on the situation. 感性: "Sensibility". The Japanese noun '感性 (かんせい)' refers to 'sensibility' or the capacity to perceive and respond to emotions, aesthetics, and subtle nuances. It is often used to describe someone's sensitivity to art, beauty, or emotional experiences. For example: Her sensibility is remarkable「彼女の感性は素晴らしい」(かのじょのかんせいはすばらしい). This painting appeals to my sensibility「この絵は私の感性に訴える」(このえはわたしのかんせいにうったえる). The term is commonly used in contexts related to art, design, and personal expression, emphasizing an individual's unique perception and emotional depth. 性的: "Sexual". The Japanese adjectival noun '性的 (せいてき)' refers to something related to sex or sexuality. It is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe matters pertaining to sexual behavior, characteristics, or orientation. For example: sexual harassment「性的嫌がらせ」(せいてきいやがらせ). sexual identity「性的アイデンティティ」(せいてきあいでんてぃてぃ). This term is neutral in tone and can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation. 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 "し" is read as "shi". The hiragana "う" is read as "u". The hiragana "せ" is read as "se". And The hiragana "い" is read as "i".