Readings: サイ (Onyomi), きわ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: occasion, side, edge, border, when, at the time of
The kanji 際 combines 阝 (こざとへん, “hill” or “mound” radical, indicating a boundary or raised area) and 祭 (a phonetic component that also suggests a “joining” or “coming together”). Together, it signifies a border, edge, or a specific point in time or space, leading to meanings like “occasion” or “at the time of.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 際 has 14 strokes. It starts with the “阝” (こざとへん) radical on the left, followed by the right-hand component which resembles “祭” but is simplified. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 阝 (こざとへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | S (Jouyou Kanji) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 際 (Sai)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 際 (kiwa)
Common Words Using 際
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 国際 | こくさい | international |
| 実際 | じっさい | actual, reality |
| 交際 | こうさい | association, friendship, dating |
| 国際的 | こくさいてき | international (adjective) |
| その際 | そのさい | at that time, on that occasion |
| この際 | このさい | on this occasion, now that… |
| 際に | さいに | at the time of, on the occasion of (more formal) |
| 有事の際 | ゆうじのさい | in case of emergency |
| 臨済宗 | りんざいしゅう | Rinzai sect (of Zen Buddhism) |
| 際会 | さいかい | meeting, encountering |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 際 | きわ | edge, verge, brink |
| 際立つ | きわだつ | to stand out, be conspicuous |
| 際どい | きわどい | dangerous, risky, close (call) |
| 間際 | まぎわ | just before, on the verge of |
| 水際 | みずぎわ | water’s edge, seashore |
| 窓際 | まどぎわ | by the window |
| 崖際 | がけぎわ | cliff edge |
| 土際 | つちぎわ | ground level, where something meets the ground |
| 瀬戸際 | せとぎわ | critical moment, turning point |
| 出際 | でぎわ | just as one is about to leave |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 国際交流はとても大切です。
Kana: こくさいこうりゅうはとてもたいせつです。
Romaji: Kokusaikōryū wa totemo taisetsu desu.
English: International exchange is very important.
Japanese: この物語は実際にあった話に基づいています。
Kana: このものがたりはじっさいにあったはなしにもとづいています。
Romaji: Kono monogatari wa jissai ni atta hanashi ni motozuite imasu.
English: This story is based on a true event.
Japanese: 彼は新しい仕事に就く際、引っ越しをしました。
Kana: かれはあたらしいしごとにつくさい、ひっこしをしました。
Romaji: Kare wa atarashii shigoto ni tsuku sai, hikkoshi o shimashita.
English: When he started his new job, he moved.
Japanese: その際、私は初めて彼に会いました。
Kana: そのさい、わたしははじめてかれにあいました。
Romaji: Sono sai, watashi wa hajimete kare ni aimashita.
English: At that time, I met him for the first time.
Japanese: 彼のスピーチは一際素晴らしかった。
Kana: かれのすぴーちはひときわすばらしかった。
Romaji: Kare no supīchi wa hitokiwa subarashikatta.
English: His speech was particularly excellent.
Japanese: 窓際の席を予約しましたか？
Kana: まどぎわのせきをよやくしましたか？
Romaji: Madogiwa no seki o yoyaku shimashita ka?
English: Did you reserve a window seat?
Japanese: 出発間際に、なんとか電車に乗り込んだ。
Kana: しゅっぱつまぎわに、なんとかでんしゃにのりこんだ。
Romaji: Shuppatsu magiwa ni, nantoka densha ni norikonda.
English: I barely managed to board the train just before departure.
Japanese: 子供たちが水際で楽しそうに遊んでいる。
Kana: こどもたちがみずぎわでたのしそうにあそんでいる。
Romaji: Kodomotachi ga mizugiwa de tanoshisō ni asonde iru.
English: The children are playing happily at the water’s edge.
Japanese: 彼女の才能は群を抜いて際立っている。
Kana: かのじょのさいのうはぐんをぬいてきわだっている。
Romaji: Kanojo no sainō wa gun o nuite kiwadatte iru.
English: Her talent stands out from the rest.
Japanese: 試験は際どいところで合格できた。
Kana: しけんはきわどいところでごうかくできた。
Romaji: Shiken wa kiwadoi tokoro de gōkaku dekita.
English: I barely passed the exam by a narrow margin.
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