社 – Company / Shrine / Society (Sha Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 社.
Kanji 社 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
社 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 会社 (kaisha – company), 社会 (shakai – society), and 社長 (shachou – company president).
A less common reading meaning "shrine," rarely used in everyday speech and mostly seen in place names or classical contexts.
社 Stroke Order – How to Write 社
社 is written with 7 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the altar radical 礻 first (dot, horizontal, hook, diagonal), then add 土 on the right (horizontal, vertical, horizontal).
Common Words Using 社 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 社, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 社
See 社 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
父は大きい会社で働いています。
ちちは おおきい かいしゃで はたらいています。
Chichi wa ookii kaisha de hataraite imasu.
My father works at a large company.
彼は来月社長になります。
かれは らいげつ しゃちょうに なります。
Kare wa raigetsu shachou ni narimasu.
He will become company president next month.
毎朝九時に出社します。
まいあさ くじに しゅっしゃします。
Maiasa kuji ni shussha shimasu.
I arrive at the office at nine every morning.
近くに神社があります。
ちかくに じんじゃが あります。
Chikaku ni jinja ga arimasu.
There is a shrine nearby.
彼女は去年この会社に入社しました。
かのじょは きょねん この かいしゃに にゅうしゃしました。
Kanojo wa kyonen kono kaisha ni nyuusha shimashita.
She joined this company last year.
Frequently Asked Questions About 社
What does the Kanji 社 mean?
社 means "company," "shrine," or "society." It is a common JLPT N5 kanji, seen in words like 会社 (kaisha, company) and 神社 (jinja, Shinto shrine).
What is the Onyomi reading of 社?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 社 is シャ (sha), as in 会社 (kaisha, company) and 社会 (shakai, society).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 社?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 社 is やしろ (yashiro), meaning "shrine," though it is uncommon in everyday speech.
How many strokes does 社 have?
社 is written with 7 strokes.
Is 社 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 社 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is frequently used in everyday words like 会社 (company) and 社長 (company president).
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