Kanji

What does the kanji 賢 mean?

賢 means wise, intelligent. On'yomi ケン. Kun'yomi かしこ.い.

Quick facts
On'yomiケン
Kun'yomiかしこ.い
Strokes16
Main radical貝
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N2
On'yomi ケンKun'yomi かしこ.い
N2 · estimated, JLPT framework16 strokes

wise, intelligent

Memory hook

The retainer (臣) who uses hand and money (貝) sensibly — WISE, CLEVER.

Stroke order · 16 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
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  • 4
  • 5
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  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
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  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16

Common words

  • 賢いかしこいsmart, wise
  • 賢明けんめいwise, sensible, prudent

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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.