Kanji 書: "write"

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

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

Common words with 書

The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.

• 書かくto write; to compose; to pen · to draw; to paint
• 書しょ類るいdocument; papers
• 書しょbook; document · calligraphy (esp. Chinese); penmanship
• 図と書しょ館かんlibrary
• 教きょう科か書しょtextbook; coursebook; schoolbook
• 書しょ物もつbook; volume
• 読どく書しょreading (books)
• 報ほう告こく書しょ(written) report
• 書かき込こむto fill in (field, entry, etc.); to fill out (form) · to post a message (e.g. on a bulletin-board)
• 文ぶん書しょdocument; writing; letter; papers · document addressed to someone
• 秘ひ書しょ(private) secretary · treasured book; secret book
• 図と書しょ室しつlibrary (usu. single-room); small library

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