Readings: メン (Onyomi), わた (Kunyomi)
Meaning: cotton, wadding
The kanji 綿 is composed of the radical 糸 (ito), meaning “thread” or “silk,” and 免 (men), which means “to escape,” “to avoid,” or “to be free of.” The combination likely suggests something light, fluffy, and easily detached or “escaping” from its source, like cotton fibers.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 綿 has 14 strokes. It begins with the left-side radical 糸 (thread), followed by the components of 免 (escape/free) on the right. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke to ensure proper writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 (いと) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- メン (men)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- わた (wata)
Common Words Using 綿
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 木綿 | もめん | cotton (fabric) |
| 綿密 | めんみつ | painstaking, careful, elaborate |
| 脱脂綿 | だっしめん | absorbent cotton, cotton wool |
| 綿飴 | わたあめ | cotton candy |
| 綿毛 | めんもう | down, fuzz (alternative onyomi reading) |
| 綿棒 | めんぼう | cotton swab, Q-tip |
| 綿布 | めんぷ | cotton cloth |
| 綿花 | めんか | raw cotton, cotton plant |
| 純綿 | じゅんめん | pure cotton |
| 防寒綿 | ぼうかんめん | wadding for cold protection |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 綿 | わた | cotton, wadding |
| 真綿 | まわた | silk floss, silk wadding |
| 綿菓子 | わたがし | cotton candy |
| 綿入り | わたいり | padded (e.g., clothes) |
| 綿毛 | わたげ | fluff, down (feathers) |
| 綿畑 | わたばたけ | cotton field |
| 綿繰り | わたくり | cotton ginning |
| 綿の実 | わたのみ | cotton boll |
| 綿屑 | わたぐず | cotton waste |
| 綿布団 | わたぶとん | cotton futon |
Example Sentences
Japanese: このシャツは木綿でできているので、肌触りが良いです。
Kana: このシャツはもめんでできているので、はだざわりがよいです。
Romaji: Kono shatsu wa momen de dekiteiru node, hadazawari ga yoi desu.
English: This shirt is made of cotton, so it feels good on the skin.
Japanese: 布団に新しい綿を入れたい。
Kana: ふとんにあたらしいわたいれたい。
Romaji: Futon ni atarashii wata iretai.
English: I want to put new wadding in the futon.
Japanese: 彼女は綿密な計画を立てた。
Kana: かのじょはめんみつなけいかくをたてた。
Romaji: Kanojo wa menmitsu na keikaku o tateta.
English: She made a meticulous plan.
Japanese: 子供たちは綿飴を美味しそうに食べていた。
Kana: こどもたちはわたあめをおいしそうにたべていた。
Romaji: Kodomotachi wa wataame o oishisou ni tabeteita.
English: The children were happily eating cotton candy.
Japanese: 傷の手当てに脱脂綿を使った。
Kana: きずのてあてにだっしめんをつかった。
Romaji: Kizu no teate ni dasshimen o tsukatta.
English: I used absorbent cotton to treat the wound.
Japanese: このジャケットは綿入りで暖かい。
Kana: このジャケットはわたいりでたかい。
Romaji: Kono jaketto wa wata-iri de atatakai.
English: This jacket is padded and warm.
Japanese: タンポポの綿毛が風に乗って飛んでいく。
Kana: たんぽぽのわたげがかぜにのってとんでいく。
Romaji: Tanpopo no watage ga kaze ni notte tonde iku.
English: Dandelion fluff flies away on the wind.
Japanese: 耳掃除に綿棒を使います。
Kana: みみそうじにめんぼうをつかいます。
Romaji: Mimisouji ni menbou o tsukaimasu.
English: I use a cotton swab to clean my ears.
Japanese: 綿花は温暖な地域で栽培される。
Kana: めんかはをんだんなちいきでさいばいされる。
Romaji: Menka wa ondanna chiiki de saibai sareru.
English: Cotton plants are cultivated in warm regions.
Japanese: このタオルは純綿でできています。
Kana: このタオルはじゅんめんでできています。
Romaji: Kono taoru wa junmen de dekiteimasu.
English: This towel is made of pure cotton.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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