生

KANJI DETAIL

life · birth

On readingせい, しょう

5 strokesN5

Radical 生 · birth

Stroke order

5 strokes

Japanese readings

On reading: せい, しょう
Kun reading: いきる, いかす, いける, うまれる, うむ, おう, はえる, はやす, き, なま

Study notes

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

Structure: 生 has 5 strokes and concerns life and birth. It can also describe a raw or fresh state.
Basic usage: 生命 is read せいめい, and 生麺 is read なまめん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

Readings for life and food
- The 生 in 生命 is read せい.
- 負傷者の生命を救った means saved the injured person's life.
- The 生 in 生麺 is read なま.
- 生麺を沸騰した湯で短くゆでた means briefly boiled fresh noodles in boiling water.