Readings: コウ (Onyomi), さら, ふ-ける, ふ-かす (Kunyomi)
Meaning: further, again, more, furthermore, to renew, to reform, to change, late at night
The kanji 更 is said to depict a person (represented by the top left and bottom right components, or a modified form of 人) changing their position or clothes, symbolizing “change” or “renewal.” It can also be interpreted as a combination of “fire” (represented by the lower part, a variant of 火) and “hand” (又), indicating the idea of working late into the night or performing a “night watch,” hence its meaning related to “late at night.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 更 has 7 strokes. It starts with the horizontal stroke at the top left, followed by the two vertical strokes forming the box-like structure. Then the two diagonal strokes on the left and right, and finally the bottom horizontal stroke, similar to the radical of 日. The last stroke is the hook on the right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 曰 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- コウ (KOU)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- さら (sara)
- ふける (fukeru)
Common Words Using 更
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 変更 | へんこう | change, alteration |
| 更新 | こうしん | renewal, update |
| 更衣室 | こういしつ | changing room |
| 更生 | こうせい | rehabilitation, regeneration, correction |
| 更迭 | こうてつ | cabinet reshuffle, replacement |
| 深更 | しんこう | late at night |
| 更改 | こうかい | renewal, revision (of contract, etc.) |
| 更地 | こうち | vacant lot |
| 更始 | こうし | renewal, fresh start |
| 変更届 | へんこうとどけ | change request form |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 更ける | ふける | to get late (e.g., night) |
| 更かす | ふかす | to stay up late |
| 更に | さらに | further, moreover, again |
| 更なる | さらなる | further, even more (used adverbially or adjectivally) |
| 更地 | さらち | vacant lot |
| 更け方 | ふけがた | late in the evening/night |
| 更け行く | ふけゆく | to grow late (e.g., night) |
| 更け込む | ふけこむ | to grow very late (e.g., night) |
| 更け初める | ふけそめる | to begin to grow late (e.g., night) |
| 更にも | さらにも | furthermore, moreover |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 予定が変更になりました。
Kana: よていがへんこうになりました。
Romaji: Yotei ga henkou ni narimashita.
English: The schedule has been changed.
Japanese: パスワードを更新してください。
Kana: ぱすわーどをこうしんしてください。
Romaji: Pasuwaado o koushin shite kudasai.
English: Please update your password.
Japanese: 更衣室はあちらです。
Kana: こういしつはあちらです。
Romaji: Kouishitsu wa achira desu.
English: The changing room is over there.
Japanese: 夜が更けてきた。
Kana: よるがふけてきた。
Romaji: Yoru ga fukete kita.
English: The night has deepened.
Japanese: 昨晩は夜更かしして勉強しました。
Kana: さくばんはよふかししてべんきょうしました。
Romaji: Sakuban wa yofukashi shite benkyou shimashita.
English: I stayed up late studying last night.
Japanese: 更に詳しい情報はウェブサイトをご覧ください。
Kana: さらにくわしいじょうほうはうぇぶさいとをごらんください。
Romaji: Sara ni kuwashii jouhou wa uebusaito o goran kudasai.
English: For further details, please visit our website.
Japanese: その土地は更地になった。
Kana: そのとちはさらちになった。
Romaji: Sono tochi wa sarachi ni natta.
English: That land became a vacant lot.
Japanese: さらなる発展を期待しています。
Kana: さらなるはってんをきたいしています。
Romaji: Sarana naru hatten o kitai shite imasu.
English: I am hoping for further development.
Japanese: 深更まで話し合った。
Kana: しんこうまで話し合った。
Romaji: Shinkou made hanashiatta.
English: We talked until late at night.
Japanese: 住所変更届を提出しました。
Kana: じゅうしょへんこうとどけをていしゅつしました。
Romaji: Jūsho henkō todoke o teishutsu shimashita.
English: I submitted a change of address form.
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