JLPT N3 · 12 strokes
Kanji 然: "sort of thing, so, if so"
The kanji 然 means "sort of thing, so, if so, in that case, well". It is written with 12 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N3, read ゼン, ネン in on'yomi and しか, しか.り, しか.し, さ 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)
ゼンネン
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
しかしか.りしか.しさ
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 | sort of thing, so, if so, in that case, well |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT level | N3 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 4 |
| Frequency rank | 401 of 2,501 |
Common words with 然
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 然うin that way; thus; such · so; the same; that's the case
- 然しhowever; but
- 然もmoreover; furthermore · nevertheless; and yet
- 当然natural; right; proper; just · naturally; as a matter of course; rightly; deservedly
- 全然(not) at all; (not) in the slightest · wholly; entirely; completely; totally
- 突然abrupt; sudden; unexpected
- 自然nature · natural; spontaneous; automatic
- 偶然coincidence; chance; accident; fortuity · by chance; unexpectedly; accidentally
- 然う然うso much; so often; so long; so many · oh, yes!; that's it; I remember
- 然うすればif so; in that case; in that situation
- 不自然unnatural; artificial; affected; strained
- 呆然dumbfounded; overcome with surprise; in blank amazement; in a daze
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