Readings: キ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: chronicle, account, narrative, history, annal, period, epoch, discipline
The kanji 紀 is composed of the radical 糸 (thread, silk) on the left and 己 (self, body) on the right. The 糸 radical signifies continuity, order, or connection, much like threads weaving together to form a fabric or narrative. The 己 component contributes to the sound (Ki) and conceptually suggests a unit or segment. Together, 紀 conveys the idea of recording events in an orderly, continuous fashion, forming a chronicle or a defined period of time.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 紀 has 9 strokes. It begins with the 糸 (itohen) radical on the left, followed by the 己 component on the right. The 糸 radical is drawn with its characteristic two vertical strokes with hooks, and then three small dots on the left. The 己 component starts with the top horizontal stroke, then the vertical stroke on the right, and finishes with the bottom horizontal stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 (いとへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- キ (Ki)
Common Words Using 紀
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 世紀 | せいき | century |
| 紀元 | きげん | epoch, era, AD, BCE |
| 紀行 | きこう | travel diary, travelogue |
| 記録 | きろく | record, document |
| 風紀 | ふうき | public morals, discipline |
| 軍紀 | ぐんき | military discipline |
| 紀要 | きよう | bulletin, transactions (of a society) |
| 綱紀 | こうき | discipline, public order (especially in government) |
| 紀律 | きりつ | discipline, regulations |
| 新世紀 | しんせいき | new century |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 21世紀は情報技術の時代です。
Kana: 21せいきはじょうほうぎじゅつのじだいです。
Romaji: Nijūisseiki wa jōhō gijutsu no jidai desu.
English: The 21st century is the age of information technology.
Japanese: この本は彼の紀行文を集めたものです。
Kana: このほんはかれのきこうぶんをあつめたものです。
Romaji: Kono hon wa kare no kikōbun o atsumeta mono desu.
English: This book is a collection of his travel essays.
Japanese: 古代ローマの歴史は紀元前から始まります。
Kana: こだいローマのれきしはきげんまえからはじまります。
Romaji: Kodai Rōma no rekishi wa kigenmae kara hajimarimasu.
English: Ancient Roman history begins before Christ.
Japanese: 彼は世界記録を更新した。
Kana: かれはせかいきろくをこうしんした。
Romaji: Kare wa sekai kiroku o kōshin shita.
English: He broke the world record.
Japanese: 学校の風紀が乱れている。
Kana: がっこうのふうきがみだれている。
Romaji: Gakkō no fūki ga midarete iru.
English: School discipline is disordered.
Japanese: 軍紀を遵守しなければならない。
Kana: ぐんきをじゅんしゅしなければならない。
Romaji: Gunki o junshu shinakereba naranai.
English: Military discipline must be observed.
Japanese: 学会の紀要に論文が掲載された。
Kana: がっかいのきようにろんぶんがけいさいされた。
Romaji: Gakkai no kiyō ni ronbun ga keisai sareta.
English: The paper was published in the academic society’s bulletin.
Japanese: 政府は綱紀粛正を求めている。
Kana: せいふはこうきしゅくせいをもとめている。
Romaji: Seifu wa kōki shukusei o motomete iru.
English: The government is demanding strict discipline/public order.
Japanese: この組織には厳しい紀律がある。
Kana: このそしきにはきびしいきりつがある。
Romaji: Kono soshiki ni wa kibishii kiritsu ga aru.
English: This organization has strict regulations.
Japanese: 新しい世紀の幕開けを祝う。
Kana: あたらしいせいきのまくあけをいわう。
Romaji: Atarashii seiki no makuake o iwau.
English: We celebrate the dawn of the new century.
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