Readings: カン (Onyomi), かわ.く, かわ.かす, ほ.す (Kunyomi)
Meaning: dry, to dry, heaven
The kanji 乾 visually combines components that hint at its meaning. The top part, 天 (ten), means “heaven” or “sky,” suggesting exposure to the elements like the sun and open air, crucial for drying. While historically it also had meanings related to “heaven” and “male principle” (as seen in philosophical contexts), for JLPT N2, its primary association is with “dryness.” The meaning of “dry” is often considered a phonetic loan or derived usage.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 乾 has 11 strokes. Begin with the horizontal stroke at the top, followed by the vertical stroke intersecting it. Continue with the components on the left and right, ensuring correct stroke order for balance. The bottom part resembles 乞. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 干 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Joyo Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- カン (KAN)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かわく (kawaku)
- かわかす (kawakasu)
- ほす (hosu)
Common Words Using 乾
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 乾燥 | かんそう | dryness, drying |
| 乾電池 | かんでんち | dry cell battery |
| 乾季 | かんき | dry season |
| 乾杯 | かんぱい | cheers, toast |
| 乾物 | かんぶつ | dried goods |
| 乾性 | かんせい | dry (quality, e.g., dry skin) |
| 乾性咳 | かんせいせき | dry cough |
| 乾飯 | ほしいい | dried boiled rice (historical) |
| 乾拓 | かんたく | dry rubbing (of an inscription) |
| 乾湿 | かんしつ | dry and wet, humidity |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 乾く | かわく | to get dry, to dry (intransitive) |
| 乾かす | かわかす | to dry (transitive) |
| 干す | ほす | to air-dry, to hang out to dry, to drain |
| 乾いた | かわいた | dried (past form of 乾く) |
| 飲み乾す | のみほす | to drink up, to drain completely |
| 拭き乾す | ふきほす | to wipe dry |
| 水が乾く | みずがかわく | water dries up |
| 服を乾かす | ふくをかわかす | to dry clothes |
| 布団を干す | ふとんをほす | to air out a futon |
| 汗が乾く | あせがかわく | sweat dries |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 洗濯物がよく乾いた。
Kana: せんたくものがよくかわいた。
Romaji: Sentakumono ga yoku kawaita.
English: The laundry dried well.
Japanese: 髪をドライヤーで乾かしてください。
Kana: かみをドライヤーでかわかしてください。
Romaji: Kami o doraiyā de kawakashite kudasai.
English: Please dry your hair with a hairdryer.
Japanese: 今日は天気が良いので、布団を干しましょう。
Kana: きょうはてんきがよいので、ふとんをほしましょう。
Romaji: Kyō wa tenki ga yoi node, futon o hoshimashō.
English: The weather is good today, so let’s air out the futon.
Japanese: 砂漠はとても乾燥している。
Kana: さばくはとてもかんそうしている。
Romaji: Sabaku wa totemo kansō shite iru.
English: Deserts are very dry.
Japanese: みんなで乾杯しましょう！
Kana: みんなでかんぱいしましょう！
Romaji: Minna de kanpai shimashō!
English: Let’s all toast! (Cheers!)
Japanese: この電池はもう乾電池ではない。
Kana: このでんちはもうかんでんちではない。
Romaji: Kono denchi wa mō kandenchi de wa nai.
English: This battery is no longer a dry cell battery.
Japanese: 喉が乾いて水が飲みたい。
Kana: のどがかわいてみずがのみたい。
Romaji: Nodo ga kawaite mizu ga nomitai.
English: My throat is dry and I want to drink water.
Japanese: 梅雨が明けると乾季に入る。
Kana: つゆがあけるとかんきにはいる。
Romaji: Tsuyu ga akeru to kanki ni hairu.
English: When the rainy season ends, the dry season begins.
Japanese: この部屋は乾燥しやすい。
Kana: このへやはかんそうしやすい。
Romaji: Kono heya wa kansō shiyasui.
English: This room tends to get dry easily.
Japanese: 乾いたパンは硬い。
Kana: かわいたパンはかたい。
Romaji: Kawaita pan wa katai.
English: Dry bread is hard.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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