Readings: フク (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Fortune, good luck, happiness, blessing
The character 福 is derived from an ancient Chinese character combining 示 (shì, “altar, shrine”) and 畐 (fú, which was originally a pictograph of a wine vessel, indicating abundance or fullness, and also served as a phonetic component). The combination implies receiving blessings or abundance from the gods/heaven, thus conveying meanings of fortune, happiness, and blessing.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 福 has 13 strokes. It begins with the radical 示 (shimesuhen) on the left, which has 5 strokes. The right side consists of three separate components: an upper part resembling 一口 (kou/kuchi – mouth), followed by 田 (ta – field), and finally 示 (shimesu – altar) at the bottom. Pay attention to the correct order and direction of each stroke to ensure proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 示 (しめすへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 13 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Grade 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- フク (Fuku)
Common Words Using 福
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 幸福 | こうふく | happiness, good fortune |
| 福祉 | ふくし | welfare, well-being |
| 福利 | ふくり | welfare, benefits |
| 福袋 | ふくぶくろ | lucky bag (New Year’s grab bag) |
| 祝福 | しゅくふく | blessing |
| 多幸 | たこう | great happiness, good fortune |
| 至福 | しふく | supreme bliss, ecstasy |
| 福の神 | ふくのかみ | god of fortune/happiness |
| 福引 | ふくびき | lottery, raffle |
| 七福神 | しちふくじん | Seven Gods of Fortune |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼女の笑顔は周りの人々を幸福にする。
Kana: かのじょのえがおはまわりのひとびとをこうふくにする。
Romaji: Kanojo no egao wa mawari no hitobito o kōfuku ni suru.
English: Her smile makes the people around her happy.
Japanese: この国の福祉制度はとても充実している。
Kana: このくにのふくしせいどはとてもじゅうじつしている。
Romaji: Kono kuni no fukushi seido wa totemo jūjitsu shiteiru.
English: This country’s welfare system is very comprehensive.
Japanese: 社員の福利厚生を充実させるべきだ。
Kana: しゃいんのふくりこうせいをじゅうじつさせるべきだ。
Romaji: Shain no fukuri kōsei o jūjitsu saseru beki da.
English: We should enhance employee benefits.
Japanese: デパートでは新年に福袋を販売する。
Kana: デパートではしんねんにふくぶくろをはんばいする。
Romaji: Depāto de wa shinnen ni fukubukuro o hanbai suru.
English: Department stores sell lucky bags for the New Year.
Japanese: 二人の結婚を心から祝福します。
Kana: ふたりのけっこんをこころからしゅくふくします。
Romaji: Futari no kekkon o kokoro kara shukufuku shimasu.
English: I wholeheartedly bless their marriage.
Japanese: 皆様の多幸を心よりお祈り申し上げます。
Kana: みなさまのたこうをこころよりおいのりもうしあげます。
Romaji: Minasama no takō o kokoro yori oinori mōshiagemasu.
English: I sincerely wish you all much happiness.
Japanese: その美しい景色を見て、至福の時を過ごした。
Kana: そのうつくしいけしきをみて、しふくのときをすごした。
Romaji: Sono utsukushii keshiki o mite, shifuku no toki o sugoshita.
English: Seeing that beautiful scenery, I spent a moment of supreme bliss.
Japanese: お正月に福の神が訪れますように。
Kana: おしょうがつにふくのかみがたずねますように。
Romaji: Oshōgatsu ni fuku no kami ga tazunemasu yō ni.
English: May the god of fortune visit us in the New Year.
Japanese: 商店街で福引をやっていて、景品が当たった。
Kana: しょうてんがいでふくびきをやっていて、けいひんがあたった。
Romaji: Shōtengai de fukubiki o yatteite, keihin ga atatta.
English: There was a lottery in the shopping street, and I won a prize.
Japanese: 日本には七福神という縁起の良い神様がいる。
Kana: にほんにはしちふくじんというえんぎのよいかみさまがいる。
Romaji: Nihon ni wa Shichifukujin to iu engi no yoi kamisama ga iru.
English: In Japan, there are auspicious gods called the Seven Gods of Fortune.
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