What is the Kanji for 'Iron'? | 鉄

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Iron' is 鉄.

kanji

鉄

Meaning

Iron

Reading

kunyomiくろがね

kurogane

onyomiてつ

tetsu

Parts

金Gold 失Lose, Fault

Example Word

鉄道: railway. The Japanese noun '鉄道 (てつどう)' means 'railway' or 'railroad'. It refers to the system of tracks, trains, and infrastructure used for transporting passengers and goods. This word is commonly used in contexts related to transportation, travel, and infrastructure. For example: The railway is convenient「鉄道は便利です」(てつどうはべんりです). I work for a railway company「私は鉄道会社で働いています」(わたしはてつどうかいしゃではたらいています). The word can also be used in compound terms like '地下鉄道 (ちかてつどう)' (subway/underground railway).

Radical

金

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

683

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 鉄

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

kanji

金

Meaning

Gold

kanji

失

Meaning

Lose, Fault

Words Using 鉄

This kanji is used in 6 words:

word

地下鉄

Meaning

Subway

word

鉄

Meaning

Iron

word

鉄道

Meaning

Railway

word

国鉄

Meaning

National railway

word

私鉄

Meaning

Private railway

word

鉄砲

Meaning

Gun

Kanji Related to 鉄 Through the Part 金

These 7 kanji contain the part 金 as well.

kanji

録

Meaning

Record

kanji

鈍

Meaning

Blunt, Dull

kanji

鈴

Meaning

Small bell, Buzzer

kanji

鎮

Meaning

Suppress, Tranquilize

kanji

錬

Meaning

Refine, Tempering

kanji

銘

Meaning

Inscription

kanji

鍋

Meaning

Pot

Kanji Related to 鉄 Through the Part 失

These 2 kanji contain the part 失 as well.

kanji

秩

Meaning

Order, Regularity

kanji

迭

Meaning

Alternate

Learn the Kanji 鉄

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 鉄 mean?

鉄 means 'Iron'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

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