Readings: イ (Onyomi), ため, な-る, な-す (Kunyomi)
Meaning: for the sake of, to do, to make, to act, to become
The character 為 (爲) originally depicted an elephant being led by a hand. This imagery conveyed the meaning of “to do,” “to make,” or “to act,” by controlling or directing something. It evolved to represent “for the sake of,” “because of,” and various other functional meanings.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 為 starts with the two horizontal strokes on the top left, followed by the two vertical strokes forming the right side of the top radical. Then, the two short strokes on the top right. Finally, the bottom part of the kanji is drawn from left to right, with the last stroke being the horizontal line.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 爪 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- イ (i)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ため (tame)
- な.る (na.ru)
- な.す (na.su)
Common Words Using 為
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 行為 | こうい | act, deed |
| 人為 | じんい | human act, artificiality |
| 作為 | さくい | positive act, action, commission |
| 無為 | むい | inaction, idleness |
| 為政 | いせい | government, administration |
| 有為 | ゆうい | promising, active |
| 為政者 | いせいしゃ | statesman, politician |
| 不作為 | ふさくい | inaction, omission |
| 作為的 | さくいてき | artificial, intentional |
| 無為無策 | むいむさく | inaction and lack of policy |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 為 | ため | for, for the sake of |
| 為に | ために | in order to, for |
| 為る | なす | to do, to make, to achieve |
| 為し遂げる | なしとげる | to accomplish, to achieve |
| 為になる | ためになる | to be beneficial |
| 為し得る | なしうる | to be able to do, to accomplish |
| 為す術もない | なすべもない | helpless, nothing can be done |
| 為 | なす | (formal) to accomplish, to form |
| 為所 | しどころ | what to do, how to act |
| 為る | する | to do (colloquial, kanji form) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は家族の為に懸命に働いた。
Kana: かれはかぞくのためにけんめいにはたらいた。
Romaji: Kare wa kazoku no tame ni kenmei ni hataraita.
English: He worked hard for his family.
Japanese: この薬は病気の予防の為に飲む。
Kana: このくすりはびょうきのよぼうのためにのむ。
Romaji: Kono kusuri wa byōki no yobō no tame ni nomu.
English: Drink this medicine for the prevention of illness.
Japanese: 彼は歴史に残る偉業を為し遂げた。
Kana: かれはれきしにのこるいぎょうをなしとげた。
Romaji: Kare wa rekishi ni nokoru igyō o nashitogeta.
English: He accomplished a great feat that will remain in history.
Japanese: その事故は人為的なミスが原因だった。
Kana: そのじこはじんいてきなミスがげんいんだった。
Romaji: Sono jiko wa jin’iteki na misu ga gen’in datta.
English: That accident was caused by human error.
Japanese: 無為に過ごす時間はもったいない。
Kana: むいにすごすじかんはもったいない。
Romaji: Mui ni sugosu jikan wa mottainai.
English: Time spent idly is a waste.
Japanese: 為政者は国民の声に耳を傾けるべきだ。
Kana: いせいしゃはこくみんのこえにみみをかたむけるべきだ。
Romaji: Iseisha wa kokumin no koe ni mimi o katamukeru beki da.
English: Rulers should listen to the voices of the people.
Japanese: この経験は私にとって非常に為になった。
Kana: このけいけんはわたしにとってひじょうにためになった。
Romaji: Kono keiken wa watashi ni totte hijō ni tame ni natta.
English: This experience was very beneficial for me.
Japanese: 彼はあらゆる手段を為して、問題を解決した。
Kana: かれはあらゆるしゅだんをなして、もんだいをかいけつした。
Romaji: Kare wa arayuru shudan o nashite, mondai o kaiketsu shita.
English: He employed every means and solved the problem.
Japanese: 彼の行為は社会に大きな影響を与えた。
Kana: かれのこういはしゃかいにおおきなえいきょうをあたえた。
Romaji: Kare no kōi wa shakai ni ōkina eikyō o ataeta.
English: His actions had a great impact on society.
Japanese: 有為な人材を育成することが会社の目標だ。
Kana: ゆういなじんざいをいくせいすることがかいしゃのもくひょうだ。
Romaji: Yūi na jinzaigi o ikusei suru koto ga kaisha no mokuhyō da.
English: Developing promising human resources is the company’s goal.
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