What does 足 mean in Japanese?
足 means “foot, leg, enough” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 足 (foot; leg), 足りる (to be enough), and 不足 (shortage).
For learners, the key is to study 足 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: ソク (soku)
Kun’yomi: あし (ashi), た-りる (ta-riru)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 足 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | foot, leg, sufficient |
| Stroke Count | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
足 is not limited to one English translation. In 足 (あし), it means foot; leg; in 足りる (たりる), it points to to be enough; and in 不足 (ふそく), it is used for shortage. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 足（あし / ashi） — foot; leg
- 足りる（たりる / tariru） — to be enough
- 不足（ふそく / fusoku） — shortage
- 遠足（えんそく / ensoku） — school trip; excursion
- 足元（あしもと / ashimoto） — at one’s feet
- 一足（いっそく / issoku） — one pair of footwear
Example Sentences
-
足が少し痛いです。
あしがすこしいたいです。 / Ashi ga sukoshi itai desu.
My foot hurts a little.
-
時間が足りません。
じかんがたりません。 / Jikan ga tarimasen.
There is not enough time.
-
準備不足で困りました。
じゅんびぶそくでこまりました。 / Junbi busoku de komarimashita.
I had trouble because I was not prepared enough.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 足 (あし / ashi) because it keeps the core meaning of 足 clear. Then add 足りる and 不足 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 足 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
足 means “foot, leg, enough” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 足, 足りる, and 不足.