Readings: コウ (Onyomi), え (Kunyomi)
Meaning: inlet, bay, sound, river
The character 江 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines 氵 (sanzui, water radical) with 工 (kō, gōng), which serves as a phonetic component. Together, it represents a body of water, specifically an inlet, bay, or river.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 江 is written in 6 strokes. Start with the three strokes of the “water” radical (氵) on the left. Then, write the three strokes of the right component: a horizontal line, followed by a vertical stroke with a hook, and finally a horizontal line that crosses the vertical stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 水 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | — |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- コウ (Kou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- え (e)
Common Words Using 江
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 長江 | ちょうこう | Yangtze River (China) |
| 江湖 | こうこ | the world of wandering swordsmen/vagrants (lit. “lakes and rivers”) |
| 沿江 | えんこう | along the river |
| 江南 | こうなん | South of the Yangtze River (region in China) |
| 江山 | こうざん | rivers and mountains; scenic beauty |
| 江東区 | こうとうく | Koto Ward (a ward in Tokyo) |
| 江都 | こうと | ancient name for Yangzhou (China) |
| 江陵 | こうりょう | Gangneung (city in Korea) |
| 江北 | こうほく | North of the Yangtze River |
| 江河 | こうが | rivers and streams (literary) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 入江 | いりえ | inlet, cove, bay |
| 江戸 | えど | Edo (old name for Tokyo, special reading) |
| 大江 | おおえ | large river (often a place name or surname) |
| 江ノ島 | えのしま | Enoshima (island in Kanagawa) |
| 江口 | えぐち | river mouth (often a place name or surname) |
| 江波 | えば | cove, inlet (often a place name or surname) |
| 江戸時代 | えどじだい | Edo period (historical period) |
| 江戸前 | えどまえ | “in front of Edo”; refers to the Edo period style or produce from Tokyo Bay |
| 江川 | えがわ | River (common surname) |
| 江戸っ子 | えどっこ | A true Edoite; a Tokyoite with traditional Edo characteristics |
Example Sentences
Japanese: その入江には小さな漁船が停泊している。
Kana: そのいりえにはちいさなぎょせんがていはくしている。
Romaji: Sono irie ni wa chiisana gyosen ga teihaku shite iru.
English: A small fishing boat is anchored in that inlet.
Japanese: 彼は長江の雄大さに感動した。
Kana: かれはちょうこうのゆうだいさにかんどうした。
Romaji: Kare wa Chōkō no yuudai-sa ni kandou shita.
English: He was deeply moved by the grandeur of the Yangtze River.
Japanese: 江戸時代は日本の歴史において重要な時期でした。
Kana: えどじだいはにほんのれきしにおいてじゅうようなじきでした。
Romaji: Edo jidai wa Nihon no rekishi ni oite juuyou na jiki deshita.
English: The Edo period was an important era in Japanese history.
Japanese: 江ノ島は観光客で賑わっています。
Kana: えのしまはかんこうきゃくでにぎわっています。
Romaji: Enoshima wa kankoukyaku de nigiwatte imasu.
English: Enoshima is bustling with tourists.
Japanese: 江湖をさすらう旅に出た。
Kana: こうこをさすらうたびにでた。
Romaji: Kouko wo sasurau tabi ni deta.
English: I set out on a journey wandering through the world (of rivers and lakes).
Japanese: 江戸の町は多くの火事に悩まされた。
Kana: えどのまちはおおくのかじになやまさた。
Romaji: Edo no machi wa ooku no kaji ni nayamasareta.
English: The town of Edo was plagued by many fires.
Japanese: 江東区に新しいショッピングモールがオープンした。
Kana: こうとうくにあたらしいショッピングモールがオープンした。
Romaji: Kōtōku ni atarashii shoppingu mooru ga oopun shita.
English: A new shopping mall opened in Koto Ward.
Japanese: 江口さんの名字はとても一般的です。
Kana: えぐちさんのみょうじはとてもいっぱんてきです。
Romaji: Eguchi-san no myouji wa totemo ippan-teki desu.
English: Mr./Ms. Eguchi’s surname is very common.
Japanese: 昔、この辺りは大きな江だったそうだ。
Kana: むかし、このあたりはおおきなえだったそうだ。
Romaji: Mukashi, kono atari wa ookina e datta sou da.
English: I heard that this area used to be a large river/inlet in the past.
Japanese: 彼女は江戸っ子気質を持っています。
Kana: かのじょはえどっこきしつをもっています。
Romaji: Kanojo wa Edokko kishitsu wo motte imasu.
English: She has the true spirit of an Edokko (Tokyoite).
Related Grammar & kanji list
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