What does 漢 mean in Japanese?
漢 means “Chinese, Han, kanji” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 漢字 (kanji), 漢語 (Sino-Japanese word), and 漢文 (classical Chinese writing).
For learners, the key is to study 漢 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: カン (kan)
Kun’yomi: —
Basic Information
| Kanji | 漢 |
|---|
How to Understand This Kanji
漢 is not limited to one English translation. In 漢字 (かんじ), it means kanji; in 漢語 (かんご), it points to Sino-Japanese word; and in 漢文 (かんぶん), it is used for classical Chinese writing. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 漢字（かんじ / kanji） — kanji
- 漢語（かんご / kango） — Sino-Japanese word
- 漢文（かんぶん / kanbun） — classical Chinese writing
- 漢方（かんぽう / kanpō） — Chinese medicine
- 漢和辞典（かんわじてん / kanwajiten） — kanji dictionary
- 漢学（かんがく / kangaku） — Chinese studies
Example Sentences
-
漢字を毎日勉強します。
かんじをまいにちべんきょうします。 / Kanji o mainichi benkyō shimasu.
I study kanji every day.
-
漢語には音読みが多いです。
かんごにはおんよみがおおいです。 / Kango ni wa on-yomi ga ōi desu.
Sino-Japanese words often use on-yomi readings.
-
漢和辞典で調べました。
かんわじてんでしらべました。 / Kanwa jiten de shirabemashita.
I looked it up in a kanji dictionary.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 漢字 (かんじ / kanji) because it keeps the core meaning of 漢 clear. Then add 漢語 and 漢文 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 漢 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
漢 means “Chinese, Han, kanji” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 漢字, 漢語, and 漢文.