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N4

Kanji 赤: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 赤: red

Key takeaways

Kanji 赤: red. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N4

Meaning

red

On reading

セキシャク

Kun reading

あかあか-あか.いあか.らむあか.らめる

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 赤

red

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Imagine the earth (土) being heated by intense fire from below until it turns a glowing red. This character represents the color red and is used in common words like 'red color' (적색) or 'equator' (적도).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

セキ
  • 赤道せきどう

    equator

Kun reading

あか
  • 赤字あかじ

    deficit / financial loss

  • 赤ちゃんあかちゃん

    baby / infant

  • 赤らむあからむ

    to become red / to redden / to blush

  • 赤ん坊あかんぼう

    baby

  • あか

    red color

  • 赤いあかい

    red

Commonly used words

  • 赤道
    せきどう

    equator

  • 赤字
    あかじ

    deficit / financial loss

  • 赤ちゃん
    あかちゃん

    baby / infant

  • 赤らむ
    あからむ

    to become red / to redden / to blush

  • 赤ん坊
    あかんぼう

    baby

  • あか

    red color

  • 赤い
    あかい

    red

Example sentences

Example 1

今年の会社は字でした。

Translation

The company was in the red this year.

Example 2

字を減らすために努力しています。

Translation

We are working to reduce the deficit.

Example 3

ちゃんが笑っています。

Translation

The baby is smiling.

Example 4

ちゃんのお世話をしています。

Translation

I am taking care of the baby.

Kanji 赤: red | Daily Nihongo