What is the Kanji for 'Man'? | 男

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Man' is 男.

kanji

男

Meaning

Man

Reading

kunyomiおとこ

otoko

onyomiだん

dan

なん

nan

Parts

田Rice field 力Power

Example Word

男らしい: manly. The Japanese adjective '男らしい (おとこらしい)' means 'manly' or 'masculine'. It is used to describe traits, behaviors, or appearances that are traditionally associated with men, such as strength, courage, or assertiveness. This word carries a positive connotation and is often used to compliment someone. For example: He is very manly「彼はとても男らしい」(かれはとてもおとこらしい). It's manly to take responsibility「責任を取るのは男らしい」(せきにんをとるのはおとこらしい). Note that this word reflects cultural expectations of masculinity and may not always align with modern perspectives on gender roles.

Radical

田

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 男

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

kanji

田

Meaning

Rice field

kanji

力

Meaning

Power

男 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 2 other kanji:

kanji

勇

Meaning

Brave

kanji

虜

Meaning

Captive

Words Using 男

This kanji is used in 9 words:

word

男

Meaning

Man

word

男性

Meaning

Male

word

男女

Meaning

Men and women

word

男らしい

Meaning

Manly

word

男の子

Meaning

Boy

word

男子

Meaning

Boy

word

長男

Meaning

Eldest son

word

男性的

Meaning

Masculine

word

次男

Meaning

Second son

Kanji Related to 男 Through the Part 田

These 26 kanji contain the part 田 as well.

kanji

町

Meaning

Town

kanji

細

Meaning

Slender

kanji

里

Meaning

Hometown

kanji

思

Meaning

Think

kanji

魚

Meaning

Fish

kanji

番

Meaning

Turn

kanji

界

Meaning

World

kanji

果

Meaning

Fruit

kanji

畑

Meaning

Field

kanji

雷

Meaning

Thunder, Lightning

kanji

異

Meaning

Rare, Different

kanji

略

Meaning

Abbreviation, Strategy

kanji

胃

Meaning

Stomach

kanji

捜

Meaning

kanji

奮

Meaning

Invigorated

kanji

累

Meaning

Accumulate

kanji

鼻

Meaning

Nose

kanji

畜

Meaning

Livestock

kanji

畳

Meaning

Tatami, Fold up

kanji

塁

Meaning

Base, Small fort

kanji

苗

Meaning

Seedling

kanji

畔

Meaning

Edge of, Shore

kanji

甲

Meaning

Armor, Shell

kanji

畏

Meaning

Apprehensive

kanji

曽

Meaning

Formerly

kanji

畿

Meaning

Capital, Suburbs of capital

Kanji Related to 男 Through the Part 力

These 19 kanji contain the part 力 as well.

kanji

勉

Meaning

Exertion

kanji

動

Meaning

Move

kanji

功

Meaning

Merit, Achievement

kanji

加

Meaning

Join, Add

kanji

効

Meaning

Effective

kanji

勤

Meaning

Diligence

kanji

労

Meaning

Labor

kanji

助

Meaning

Help

kanji

努

Meaning

Toil

kanji

勢

Meaning

Power, Force

kanji

励

Meaning

Strive, Encourage

kanji

募

Meaning

Raise, Recruit

kanji

幼

Meaning

Childhood, Infancy

kanji

劣

Meaning

Inferior, Inferiority

kanji

勧

Meaning

Urge, Recommend

kanji

劾

Meaning

Investigate, Censure

kanji

勘

Meaning

Check, Intuition

kanji

勅

Meaning

Imperial order, Imperial decree

kanji

勃

Meaning

Rise, Suddenness

Learn the Kanji 男

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 男 mean?

男 means 'Man'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in First Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

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