Readings: タン (Onyomi), ひとえ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: single, simple, unit
The kanji 単 (dān in Chinese) originally depicted a banner or flag. This image extended to represent something “single” or a “unit” (like a single standard) and later evolved to mean “simple.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 単 has 9 strokes. It starts with two horizontal strokes at the top, followed by a vertical stroke that connects them. Then, the two horizontal strokes that form the “mouth” radical, followed by a vertical stroke. Finally, the “ten” radical (十) is written at the bottom with a horizontal and a vertical stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 十 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- タン (Tan)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ひとえ (hitoe)
Common Words Using 単
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 単語 | たんご | word, vocabulary |
| 単純 | たんじゅん | simple, straightforward |
| 単位 | たんい | unit, denomination, credit |
| 単独 | たんどく | single, independent, sole |
| 単価 | たんか | unit price |
| 単身 | たんしん | alone, unaccompanied (esp. a married person living away from their family) |
| 単発 | たんぱつ | single shot, single event (not continuous) |
| 単一 | たんいつ | single, unified, homogeneous |
| 単調 | たんちょう | monotony, dullness, sameness |
| 単行本 | たんこうぼん | (individual) volume, separate volume (of a series), paperback |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 単衣 | ひとえ | unlined garment (esp. kimono) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この単語の意味を教えてください。
Kana: このたんごのいみを教えてください。
Romaji: Kono tango no imi o oshiete kudasai.
English: Please tell me the meaning of this word.
Japanese: その問題はとても単純だ。
Kana: そのもんだいはとてもたんじゅんだ。
Romaji: Sono mondai wa totemo tanjun da.
English: That problem is very simple.
Japanese: 彼は大学で単位を取るのに苦労した。
Kana: かれはだいがくでたんいをうまくとるのにくろうした。
Romaji: Kare wa daigaku de tan’i o umaku toru no ni kurou shita.
English: He struggled to earn credits at university.
Japanese: 彼女は単独で旅行するのが好きだ。
Kana: かのじょはたんどくでりょこうするのがすきだ。
Romaji: Kanojo wa tandoku de ryokou suru no ga suki da.
English: She likes to travel alone.
Japanese: この商品の単価はいくらですか？
Kana: このしょうひんのたんかはいくらですか？
Romaji: Kono shouhin no tanka wa ikura desu ka?
English: What is the unit price of this product?
Japanese: 彼は単身赴任で海外に行った。
Kana: かれはたんしんふにんでかいがいにいった。
Romaji: Kare wa tanshin funin de kaigai ni itta.
English: He went overseas for a solo transfer (without family).
Japanese: 今回は単発のイベントです。
Kana: こんかいはたんぱつのイベントです。
Romaji: Konkai wa tanpatsu no ibento desu.
English: This time it’s a one-off event.
Japanese: 一つの目標に向かって単一のチームで働きます。
Kana: ひとつのもくひょうにむかってたんいつのチームではたらきます。
Romaji: Hitotsu no mokuhyou ni mukatte tan’itsu no chiimu de hatarakimasu.
English: We work as a single team towards one goal.
Japanese: 彼のスピーチは単調で退屈だった。
Kana: かれのスピーチはたんちょうでたいくつだった。
Romaji: Kare no supīchi wa tanchou de taikutsu datta.
English: His speech was monotonous and boring.
Japanese: 夏に単衣の着物を着ます。
Kana: なつにひとえのきものをきます。
Romaji: Natsu ni hitoe no kimono o kimasu.
English: I wear an unlined kimono in summer.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.