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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

    Meaning

    Write

    Reading

    kunyomi

    ka

    onyomiしょ

    sho

    Parts

    Brush Day, Sun

    Example Word

    領収書: receipt. The Japanese noun '領収書 (りょうしゅうしょ)' refers to a 'receipt', which is a document acknowledging that a payment has been made. This term is commonly used in business transactions, shopping, or any situation where proof of payment is required. For example: Please give me a receipt「領収書をください」(りょうしゅうしょをください). I lost the receipt「領収書をなくしました」(りょうしゅうしょをなくしました). In Japan, it is customary to request a '領収書' after making a payment, especially in formal or business settings. The word is often associated with financial accountability and is essential for record-keeping or reimbursement purposes.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    67

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    radical

    Meaning

    Brush

    kanji

    Meaning

    Day, Sun

Words Using

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

    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 Through the Part

These 6 kanji contain the part 聿 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Brush

    kanji

    Meaning

    Law, Rhythm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Build

    kanji

    Meaning

    Harbor, Haven

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purge, Solemn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ordinary, Common

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 61 kanji contain the part 日 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Early, Fast

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sound

    kanji

    Meaning

    White

    kanji

    Meaning

    Time, Hour

    kanji

    Meaning

    Weekday

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spring

    kanji

    Meaning

    Interval, Space

    kanji

    Meaning

    East

    kanji

    Meaning

    Star

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bright

    kanji

    Meaning

    Electricity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Darkness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Evening, Nightfall

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hot

    kanji

    Meaning

    Someone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reflect

    kanji

    Meaning

    Simple, Single

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yesterday, Previous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old times

    kanji

    Meaning

    Report

    kanji

    Meaning

    Music, Bend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Universal, Widespread

    kanji

    Meaning

    Easy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Free time, Spare time

    kanji

    Meaning

    Decameron

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Curriculum, Continuation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thick, Kind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shining

    kanji

    Meaning

    Scene

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hoist, Display, Hold up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vague, Desert

    kanji

    Meaning

    Violent, Outburst

    kanji

    Meaning

    Livelihood

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rice plant

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cloudy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ascend, Rise up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thirst, Parched

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hoarse, Shout at

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purport, Delicious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old, Past

    kanji

    Meaning

    Brown, Woollen kimono

    kanji

    Meaning

    Calendar, Almanac

    kanji

    Meaning

    A while, Temporarily

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fragrance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Risk

    kanji

    Meaning

    Crystal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Descendants, Insects

    kanji

    Meaning

    Right, Absolutely

    kanji

    Meaning

    Audience with the, Audience

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dawn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Turtle

    kanji

    Meaning

    Formerly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dark, Foolish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dark

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dark, Not clear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Effulgent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dawn

Learn the Kanji

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.