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What does the kanji 祖 mean?

祖 means ancestor, founder. On'yomi ソ.

Quick facts
On'yomiソ
Strokes9
Main radical示
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N3
On'yomi ソ
N3 · estimated, JLPT framework9 strokes

ancestor, founder

Memory hook

The tablet (礻) set on the stand (且) in memory of the ancestors — ANCESTOR, FOUNDER.

Main radical

示altar, divine 5 strokes

Built from

Stroke order · 9 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9

Common words

  • 祖母そぼgrandmother (humble term)
  • 祖父そふgrandfather

More words with this kanji

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Data sources and licences

English meanings, On/Kun readings, stroke counts: KANJIDIC2 — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Components: KRADFILE (EDRDG). Stroke order: KanjiVG (Ulrich Apel), licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Mnemonics written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.