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Kanji 善: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 善: virtuous, good, goodness

Key takeaways

Kanji 善: virtuous, good, goodness. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N1

Meaning

virtuousgoodgoodness

On reading

ゼン

Kun reading

よ.いい.いよ.くよし.とする

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 善

virtuous, good, goodness

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

羊 + 口

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

A sheep (羊) has long been a symbol of goodness and sacrifice. Speaking with a mouth (口) as gentle and kind as a sheep represents the essence of being virtuous and good.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ゼン
  • 最善さいぜん

    best / optimal / most favorable

  • 親善しんぜん

    friendship / goodwill / amity

  • 善良ぜんりょう

    goodness / virtue / kindness

  • 改善かいぜん

    improvement / betterment

  • ぜん

    goodness / virtue / morality

Commonly used words

  • 最善
    さいぜん

    best / optimal / most favorable

  • 親善
    しんぜん

    friendship / goodwill / amity

  • 善良
    ぜんりょう

    goodness / virtue / kindness

  • 改善
    かいぜん

    improvement / betterment

  • ぜん

    goodness / virtue / morality

Example sentences

Example 1

成功するために最を尽くそう。

Translation

Let's do our best to succeed.

Example 2

これは最の方法だと思います。

Translation

I think this is the best method.

Example 3

両国の親を深める

Translation

To deepen friendship between the two countries

Example 4

試合で勝ちました

Translation

We won the friendly match

Kanji 善: virtuous, good, goodness | Daily Nihongo