Kanji

What does the kanji 素 mean?

素 means plain, simple; element, base. On'yomi ソ、ス. Kun'yomi もと.

Quick facts
On'yomi	ソ、ス
Kun'yomi	もと
Strokes	10
Main radical	糸
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1

素On'yomi ソ、スKun'yomi もと

N1 · estimated, JLPT framework10 strokes

plain, simple; element, base

Memory hook

A shoot above the undyed thread (糸) — PLAIN, ELEMENT, ORIGINAL.

Main radical

糸thread 6 strokes

Built from

Stroke order · 10 strokes

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Common words

素もとbasis, root, source
水素すいそhydrogen
素人しろうとamateur, layperson
酸素さんそoxygen
素晴らしいすばらしいwonderful, splendid

More words with this kanji

要素ようそelement, factor
素直すなおobedient; honest, straightforward
素質そしつnatural talent, aptitude
元素げんそelement; fundamental component
炭素たんそcarbon
簡素かんそsimple, plain
素朴そぼくsimple, unsophisticated, artless
素材そざいraw material, material; subject matter
質素しっそsimple, frugal
素早いすばやいquick, nimble, swift
素っ気無いそっけないcurt, cold, blunt

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