Readings: ケン (Onyomi), かしこ.い (Kunyomi)
Meaning: wise, intelligent, sagacious
The kanji 賢 combines 臣 (しん), meaning “minister” or “servant,” and 貝 (かい), representing “shell” or “wealth/value.” Together, it suggests someone who possesses valuable judgment and sagacity, often associated with a wise minister or a highly valued individual.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 賢 has 16 strokes. It begins with the left-hand radical, followed by the components on the right. Pay close attention to the order and direction, especially for the complex components and the 貝 (shell) radical.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 貝 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 16 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケン (KEN)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かしこ.い (kashiko.i)
Common Words Using 賢
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 賢明 | けんめい | wisdom, sagacity, prudence |
| 賢者 | けんじゃ | wise person, sage |
| 賢慮 | けんりょ | wise thought, profound consideration (honorific) |
| 賢夫人 | けんふじん | wise wife |
| 賢臣 | けんしん | wise minister/retainer |
| 賢察 | けんさつ | wise consideration (honorific) |
| 賢所 | けんしょ | Kashikodokoro (one of the Three Palace Sanctuaries) |
| 賢愚 | けんぐ | wisdom and folly |
| 賢哲 | けんてつ | wise philosopher, sage |
| 賢才 | けんさい | remarkable talent, great ability |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 賢い | かしこい | wise, clever, intelligent |
| 賢さ | かしこさ | wisdom, cleverness |
| 賢ぶる | かしこぶる | to pretend to be wise |
| 賢しげ | かしこしげ | wise-looking |
| 賢くも | かしこくも | wisely, cleverly (often with surprise/admiration) |
| 賢くなる | かしこくなる | to become wise/clever |
| 賢い子供 | かしこいこども | a clever child |
| 賢い選択 | かしこいせんたく | a wise choice |
| 賢し | かしこし | wise, clever (archaic) |
| 賢しく | かしこしく | wisely, cleverly (archaic) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼はとても賢い学生です。
Kana: かれは とても かしこい がくせい です。
Romaji: Kare wa totemo kashikoi gakusei desu.
English: He is a very clever student.
Japanese: 賢明な判断が求められています。
Kana: けんめいな はんだんが もとめられています。
Romaji: Kenmei na handan ga motomerareteimasu.
English: Wise judgment is required.
Japanese: その賢者は未来を予言した。
Kana: その けんじゃは みらいを よげんした。
Romaji: Sono kenja wa mirai o yogen shita.
English: That sage predicted the future.
Japanese: 彼女は賢い選択をした。
Kana: かのじょは かしこい せんたくを した。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kashikoi sentaku o shita.
English: She made a wise choice.
Japanese: 賢い人は過ちから学ぶ。
Kana: かしこい ひとは あやまちから まなぶ。
Romaji: Kashikoi hito wa ayamachi kara manabu.
English: Wise people learn from their mistakes.
Japanese: 私たちは賢く資源を使うべきだ。
Kana: わたしたちは かしこく しげんを つかうべきだ。
Romaji: Watashitachi wa kashikoku shigen o tsukau beki da.
English: We should use resources wisely.
Japanese: 彼の賢慮に感銘を受けた。
Kana: かれの けんりょに かんめいを うけた。
Romaji: Kare no kenryo ni kanmei o uketa.
English: I was impressed by his wise thoughts.
Japanese: 賢い犬は芸を覚えるのが速い。
Kana: かしこい いぬは げいを おぼえるのが はやい。
Romaji: Kashikoi inu wa gei o oboeru no ga hayai.
English: Clever dogs learn tricks quickly.
Japanese: この本は賢い人生を送るためのヒントを与えてくれる。
Kana: この ほんは かしこい じんせいを おくるための ヒントを あたえてくれる。
Romaji: Kono hon wa kashikoi jinsei o okuru tame no hinto o ataete kureru.
English: This book gives hints for living a wise life.
Japanese: 賢い投資は将来のために重要です。
Kana: かしこい とうしは しょうらいのために じゅうようです。
Romaji: Kashikoi toushi wa shourai no tame ni juuyou desu.
English: Wise investment is important for the future.
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