書 – Write / Book / Document (Sho / Kaku Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 書.
Kanji 書 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
書 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 辞書 (jisho – dictionary) and 図書館 (toshokan – library).
Means "to write," as in 書く (kaku – to write) and 手紙を書く (tegami o kaku – to write a letter).
書 Stroke Order – How to Write 書
書 is written with 10 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the strokes of 聿 (brush) first — the vertical, horizontal lines, and hook — then finish with the horizontal stroke of 日 (sun/day) at the base.
Common Words Using 書 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 書, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 書
See 書 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
毎日日記を書きます。
まいにち にっきを かきます。
Mainichi nikki o kakimasu.
I write in my diary every day.
図書館で本を借りました。
としょかんで ほんを かりました。
Toshokan de hon o karimashita.
I borrowed a book from the library.
この言葉の意味を辞書で調べました。
この ことばの いみを じしょで しらべました。
Kono kotoba no imi o jisho de shirabemashita.
I looked up the meaning of this word in the dictionary.
友達に手紙を書きました。
ともだちに てがみを かきました。
Tomodachi ni tegami o kakimashita.
I wrote a letter to my friend.
来週までに書類を提出してください。
らいしゅうまでに しょるいを ていしゅつしてください。
Raishuu made ni shorui o teishutsu shite kudasai.
Please submit the documents by next week.
Frequently Asked Questions About 書
What does the Kanji 書 mean?
書 means to write, and also refers to a book, document, or piece of writing. It appears in essential words such as 書く (kaku, to write) and 辞書 (jisho, dictionary).
What is the Onyomi reading of 書?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 書 is ショ (sho), as in 辞書 (jisho, dictionary) and 図書館 (toshokan, library).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 書?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 書 is か.く (kaku), meaning "to write," as in 手紙を書く (tegami o kaku, to write a letter).
How many strokes does 書 have?
書 is written with 10 strokes.
Is 書 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 書 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is essential for the fundamental verb 書く (kaku, to write) and related vocabulary like 辞書 (jisho, dictionary) and 図書館 (toshokan, library).
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