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What is the Kanji for 'Sharpen'? | 研

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Sharpen' is 研.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sharpen

    Reading

    kunyomi

    to

    onyomiけん

    ken

    Parts

    Stone Open

    Example Word

    研修: training. The Japanese noun '研修 (けんしゅう)' refers to 'training' or 'a training program'. It is commonly used in professional or educational contexts to describe a period of learning or skill development, often for employees or students. For example: I attended a training session「研修に参加しました」(けんしゅうにさんかしました). The company provides training for new employees「会社は新入社員の研修を行います」(かいしゃはしんにゅうしゃいんのけんしゅうをおこないます). This word is often associated with structured programs aimed at improving skills or knowledge in a specific field.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    618

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stone

    radical

    Meaning

    Open

Words Using

This kanji is used in 2 words:

    word

    研究

    Meaning

    Research

    word

    研修

    Meaning

    Training

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 17 kanji contain the part 石 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Boulder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Certain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Foundation stone, Foundation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Break, Tear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hard, Stiff

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reclaim, Cultivation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Smash

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sulfur, Sulphur

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reef

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stone, Monument, Tombstone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Magnet, Porcelain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gun, Cannon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Niter, Nitrate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Go, The game of Go

    kanji

    Meaning

    Polish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Envy, Jealous

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 4 kanji contain the part 开 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shape

    kanji

    Meaning

    Open

    kanji

    Meaning

    Departure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Punish

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 研 mean?

研 means 'Sharpen'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third 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.