Readings: ソ, ソウ (Onyomi), く.む, くみ, -ぐみ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: group, association, assemble, organize, unite
The kanji 組 combines 糸 (thread, string) and 且 (a phonetic component that also implies “moreover” or “together”). Historically, it depicts threads being woven or tied together, leading to its meanings of assembling, organizing, forming groups, or combining.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 組 has 11 strokes. It starts with the糸 radical on the left, followed by the right-side component. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke, especially the diagonal strokes and horizontal lines.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ソ (So)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- くむ (kumu)
- くみ (kumi)
- -ぐみ (-gumi)
Common Words Using 組
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 組織 | そしき | organization, structure |
| 組閣 | そかく | cabinet formation |
| 組版 | そはん | typesetting |
| 編組 | へんそ | braiding, plaiting |
| 組長 | そちょう | group leader (less common reading, often くみちょう) |
| 組入 | そいれ | incorporation (less common reading, often くみいれ) |
| 組替 | そがえ | rearrangement, reshuffling (less common reading, often くみかえ) |
| 組成 | そせい | composition, formation (less common reading, often くみせい) |
| 組合物 | そくみぶつ | composite, combination (technical) |
| 再編組 | さいへんそ | re-editing, re-braiding (technical) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 組む | くむ | to cross (legs/arms), to put together, to partner with |
| 組み合わせる | くみあわせる | to combine, to put together, to match |
| 組み立てる | くみたてる | to assemble, to construct |
| 組 | くみ | group, class, team |
| 番組 | ばんぐみ | TV program |
| 組合 | くみあい | association, union |
| 組み込む | くみこむ | to insert, to include, to incorporate |
| 組み合わす | くみあわす | to combine, to join (variant of 組み合わせる) |
| 組み替える | くみかえる | to rearrange, to reorganize |
| 組み伏せる | くみふせる | to throw down (in wrestling), to grapple and pin |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼らはチームを組んでプロジェクトを進めた。
Kana: かれらはチームをくんでプロジェクトをすすめた。
Romaji: Karera wa chīmu o kunde purojekuto o susumeta.
English: They formed a team and proceeded with the project.
Japanese: この椅子は自分で組み立てる必要がある。
Kana: このいすはじぶんでくみたてるひつようがある。
Romaji: Kono isu wa jibun de kumitateru hitsuyō ga aru.
English: This chair needs to be assembled by yourself.
Japanese: 今日のテレビ番組は何ですか。
Kana: きょうのテレビばんぐみはなんですか。
Romaji: Kyō no terebi bangumi wa nan desu ka.
English: What’s today’s TV program?
Japanese: 彼は腕を組んで考え込んでいた。
Kana: かれはうでをくんでかんがえこんでいた。
Romaji: Kare wa ude o kunde kangaekonde ita.
English: He was thinking deeply with his arms crossed.
Japanese: 労働組合がストライキを行った。
Kana: ろうどうくみあいがストライキをおこなった。
Romaji: Rōdō kumiai ga sutoraiki o okonatta.
English: The labor union went on strike.
Japanese: この部品は他の部品と組み合わせて使う。
Kana: このぶひんはほかのぶひんとくみあわせてつかう。
Romaji: Kono buhin wa hoka no buhin to kumiawasete tsukau.
English: This part is used in combination with other parts.
Japanese: 組織の改革が必要です。
Kana: そしきのかいかくがひつようです。
Romaji: Soshiki no kaikaku ga hitsuyō desu.
English: Organizational reform is necessary.
Japanese: 彼のクラスはA組です。
Kana: かれのクラスはエーぐみです。
Romaji: Kare no kurasu wa Ē-gumi desu.
English: His class is Class A.
Japanese: このデータを報告書に組み込む。
Kana: このデータをほうこくしょにくみこむ。
Romaji: Kono dēta o hōkokusho ni kumikomu.
English: I will incorporate this data into the report.
Japanese: 彼女は足を組んで座っていた。
Kana: かのじょはあしをくんでいすわっていた。
Romaji: Kanojo wa ashi o kunde isuwatte ita.
English: She was sitting with her legs crossed.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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