What does 立 mean in Japanese?
立 means “stand, establish” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 立つ (to stand), 立てる (to stand something up), and 国立 (national).
For learners, the key is to study 立 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji.
Reading
On’yomi: リツ (ritsu), リュウ (ryuu)
Kun’yomi: た-つ (ta-tsu), た-てる (ta-teru)
Basic Information
| Kanji | 立 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | stand, rise |
| Stroke Count | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N5 |
How to Understand This Kanji
立 is not limited to one English translation. In 立つ (たつ), it means to stand; in 立てる (たてる), it points to to stand something up; and in 国立 (こくりつ), it is used for national. Reading these compounds side by side helps you understand the range of the kanji.
Common Words
- 立つ（たつ / tatsu） — to stand
- 立てる（たてる / tateru） — to stand something up
- 国立（こくりつ / kokuritsu） — national
- 私立（しりつ / shiritsu） — private
- 立場（たちば / tachiba） — position; standpoint
- 起立（きりつ / kiritsu） — standing up
Example Sentences
-
駅の前に立っています。
えきのまえにたっています。 / Eki no mae ni tatte imasu.
I am standing in front of the station.
-
本を棚に立てました。
ほんをたなにたてました。 / Hon o tana ni tatemashita.
I stood the book up on the shelf.
-
国立大学で勉強しています。
こくりつだいがくでべんきょうしています。 / Kokuritsu daigaku de benkyō shite imasu.
I study at a national university.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
Start with 立つ (たつ / tatsu) because it keeps the core meaning of 立 clear. Then add 立てる and 国立 to see how the reading and meaning shift in real vocabulary. Do not memorize 立 as a single English word; connect it to actual words and example sentences.
Summary
立 means “stand, establish” and appears in useful Japanese words such as 立つ, 立てる, and 国立.