JLPT N1 · 10 strokes
Kanji 剣: "sabre, sword, blade"
The kanji 剣 means "sabre, sword, blade, clock hand". It is written with 10 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read ケン in on'yomi and つるぎ 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)
ケン
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
つるぎ
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 | sabre, sword, blade, clock hand |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT level | N1 |
| Taught in Japan | secondary school |
| Frequency rank | 1305 of 2,501 |
Common words with 剣
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 真剣serious; earnest · real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
- 剣sword (esp. a large, double-edged one); blade · bayonet
- 剣士swordsman; swordswoman; fencer
- 短剣short sword; dagger; stiletto · hour hand (of a clock)
- 剣術(art of) fencing; swordsmanship
- 剣を抜くto draw a sword
- 大剣large sword; long sword
- 剣幕threatening attitude; menacing look; angry look
- 魔剣magic sword; cursed sword
- 聖剣holy sword; sacred sword
- 剣技sword skills; swordsmanship
- 剣道kendo; Japanese martial art using bamboo swords
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