JLPT N1 · 13 strokes
Kanji 禅: "Zen, silent meditation"
The kanji 禅 means "Zen, silent meditation". It is written with 13 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read ゼン, セン in on'yomi and しずか, ゆず.る in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
ゼンセン
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
しずかゆず.る
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | Zen, silent meditation |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 13 |
| JLPT level | N1 |
| Taught in Japan | secondary school |
| Frequency rank | 1902 of 2,501 |
Common words with 禅
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 禅dhyana (profound meditation) · Zen (Buddhism)
- 座禅zazen (seated Zen meditation, usu. in a cross-legged position)
- 禅寺Zen temple
- 禅師monk; priest, particularly a high-ranking Zen monk honored by the imperial court
- 禅問答Zen dialogue; Zen questions and answers
- 禅宗Zen (Buddhism)
- 友禅yuzen (dyeing method or pattern); silk printed by the yuzen process
- 禅僧Zen priest
- 禅家Zen; Zen temple; Zen priest
- 禅定dhyana-samadhi (meditative concentration) · ascetic practice atop a sacred mountain (in Shugendō)
- 禅譲abdication (of a Chinese emperor) in favor of a virtuous successor (as opposed to an heir) · smooth transference of power (responsibility, etc.)
- 参禅Zen meditation; meditative consultation with the head abbot
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