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What is the Kanji for 'Reason'? | 理

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Reason' is 理.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reason

    Reading

    onyomi

    ri

    Parts

    King Hometown

    Example Word

    理科: science. The Japanese noun '理科 (りか)' refers to the academic subject of 'science', particularly in the context of school education. It encompasses natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences. This term is commonly used in educational settings to describe the subject or curriculum. For example: I like science「私は理科が好きです」(わたしはりかがすきです). Science is interesting「理科は面白い」(りかはおもしろい). The word '理科' is distinct from '科学 (かがく)', which refers to science in a broader, more general sense, including research and applied sciences.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    88

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    kanji

    Meaning

    King

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hometown

Words Using

This kanji is used in 34 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 18 kanji contain the part 王 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball, Jewel

    kanji

    Meaning

    Whole, All

    kanji

    Meaning

    Master

    kanji

    Meaning

    Appear, Current

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hope, Ambition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sheep

    kanji

    Meaning

    Emperor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Saint, Holy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ring, Surround

    kanji

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Crazy, Lunatic

    kanji

    Meaning

    Group, Squad

    kanji

    Meaning

    Display, Present

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball, Pearl

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tinker with

    kanji

    Meaning

    Effulgent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cauldron

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 里 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Field

    kanji

    Meaning

    Black

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heavy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Measure, Quantity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inside, Rear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Silent, Shut up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Juvenile

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bury

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rin, Thousandth

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 理 mean?

理 means 'Reason'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second 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.