What is the Kanji for 'Write'? | 書

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Write' is 書.

kanji

書

Meaning

Write

Reading

kunyomiか

onyomiしょ

sho

Parts

聿Brush 日Day, Sun

Example Word

縦書き: vertical writing. The Japanese noun '縦書き (たてがき)' refers to the traditional style of writing in Japanese where text is arranged in vertical columns, read from top to bottom and right to left. This style is commonly used in books, newspapers, and formal documents. For example: This book is written in vertical writing「この本は縦書きです」(このほんはたてがきです). I prefer vertical writing for novels「小説は縦書きが好きです」(しょうせつはたてがきがすきです). It contrasts with '横書き (よこがき)', which is horizontal writing, typically used in digital formats and Western-style documents.

Radical

曰

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 書

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

radical

聿

Meaning

Brush

kanji

日

Meaning

Day, Sun

Words Using 書

This kanji is used in 39 words:

word

書く

Meaning

Write

word

書き直す

Meaning

Rewrite

word

図書館

Meaning

Library

word

書

Meaning

Writing

word

書き方

Meaning

Way of writing

word

書き取る

Meaning

Transcribe

word

図書室

Meaning

Library

word

教科書

Meaning

Textbook

word

横書き

Meaning

Horizontal writing

word

文書

Meaning

Document

word

書留

Meaning

Registered mail

word

図書

Meaning

Books

word

絵葉書

Meaning

Postcard

word

本書

Meaning

This book

word

下書き

Meaning

Draft

word

後書き

Meaning

Postscript

word

書道

Meaning

Calligraphy

word

書類

Meaning

Documents

word

書き取り

Meaning

Dictation

word

願書

Meaning

Application

word

参考書

Meaning

Reference book

word

書き言葉

Meaning

Written language

word

書店

Meaning

Bookstore

word

聖書

Meaning

Bible

word

秘書

Meaning

Secretary

word

読書

Meaning

Reading

word

読み書き

Meaning

Reading and writing

word

書物

Meaning

Book

word

書き込む

Meaning

Write in

word

書簡

Meaning

Letter

word

辞書

Meaning

Dictionary

word

著書

Meaning

Book

word

書記

Meaning

Clerk

word

領収書

Meaning

Receipt

word

書紀

Meaning

Chronicle

word

書房

Meaning

Study

word

葉書

Meaning

Postcard

word

縦書き

Meaning

Vertical writing

word

履歴書

Meaning

Resume

Kanji Related to 書 Through the Part 聿

These 6 kanji contain the part 聿 as well.

kanji

筆

Meaning

Brush

kanji

律

Meaning

Law, Rhythm

kanji

建

Meaning

Build

kanji

津

Meaning

Harbor, Haven

kanji

粛

Meaning

Purge, Solemn

kanji

庸

Meaning

Ordinary, Common

Kanji Related to 書 Through the Part 日

These 61 kanji contain the part 日 as well.

kanji

早

Meaning

Early, Fast

kanji

音

Meaning

Sound

kanji

白

Meaning

White

kanji

時

Meaning

Time, Hour

kanji

曜

Meaning

Weekday

kanji

春

Meaning

Spring

kanji

間

Meaning

Interval, Space

kanji

東

Meaning

East

kanji

星

Meaning

Star

kanji

門

Meaning

Gate

kanji

晴

Meaning

Clear

kanji

明

Meaning

Bright

kanji

電

Meaning

Electricity

kanji

暗

Meaning

Darkness

kanji

晩

Meaning

Evening, Nightfall

kanji

暑

Meaning

Hot

kanji

者

Meaning

Someone

kanji

暖

Meaning

Warm

kanji

映

Meaning

Reflect

kanji

単

Meaning

Simple, Single

kanji

昨

Meaning

Yesterday, Previous

kanji

昔

Meaning

Old times

kanji

申

Meaning

Report

kanji

曲

Meaning

Music, Bend

kanji

普

Meaning

Universal, Widespread

kanji

易

Meaning

Easy

kanji

暇

Meaning

Free time, Spare time

kanji

旬

Meaning

Decameron

kanji

温

Meaning

Warm

kanji

歴

Meaning

Curriculum, Continuation

kanji

厚

Meaning

Thick, Kind

kanji

昭

Meaning

Shining

kanji

景

Meaning

Scene

kanji

掲

Meaning

Hoist, Display, Hold up

kanji

漠

Meaning

Vague, Desert

kanji

暴

Meaning

Violent, Outburst

kanji

暮

Meaning

Livelihood

kanji

稲

Meaning

Rice plant

kanji

曇

Meaning

Cloudy

kanji

昇

Meaning

Ascend, Rise up

kanji

渇

Meaning

Thirst, Parched

kanji

喝

Meaning

Hoarse, Shout at

kanji

旨

Meaning

Purport, Delicious

kanji

旧

Meaning

Old, Past

kanji

褐

Meaning

Brown, Woollen kimono

kanji

暦

Meaning

Calendar, Almanac

kanji

暫

Meaning

A while, Temporarily

kanji

香

Meaning

Fragrance

kanji

冒

Meaning

Risk

kanji

晶

Meaning

Crystal

kanji

昆

Meaning

Descendants, Insects

kanji

是

Meaning

Right, Absolutely

kanji

謁

Meaning

Audience with the, Audience

kanji

暁

Meaning

Dawn

kanji

亀

Meaning

Turtle

kanji

曽

Meaning

Formerly

kanji

昧

Meaning

Dark, Foolish

kanji

冥

Meaning

Dark

kanji

曖

Meaning

Dark, Not clear

kanji

旺

Meaning

Effulgent

kanji

旦

Meaning

Dawn

Learn the Kanji 書

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 書 mean?

書 means 'Write'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second 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.