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Kanji 素: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 素: elementary, principle, naked, uncovered

Key takeaways

Kanji 素: elementary, principle, naked, uncovered. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

素
N1

Meaning

elementaryprinciplenakeduncovered

On reading

ソス

Kun reading

もと

Radical

糸

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 素

elementary, principle, naked, uncovered

Kanji structure breakdown

素

Structure breakdown

龶 + 糸

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Imagine a raw (龶) thread (糸) that has not been dyed or processed. This original, plain state of the thread represents the essence and simplicity of a material. It is used in words like 'element' (要素) and 'material' (素材).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ソ
  • 簡素かんそ

    simple / plain / minimal

  • 元素げんそ

    chemical element

  • 質素しっそ

    simplicity / modest lifestyle

  • 素敵すてき

    lovely / beautiful / great

  • 素早いすばやい

    fast / quick / agile

  • 素材そざい

    raw material / ingredient / subject matter

  • 素っ気ないそっけない

    cold / curt / blunt

  • 素朴そぼく

    simplicity / innocence / naturalness

Kun reading

もと
  • 素もと

    element / basis / origin

Commonly used words

  • 簡素
    かんそ

    simple / plain / minimal

  • 元素
    げんそ

    chemical element

  • 質素
    しっそ

    simplicity / modest lifestyle

  • 素敵
    すてき

    lovely / beautiful / great

  • 素早い
    すばやい

    fast / quick / agile

  • 素材
    そざい

    raw material / ingredient / subject matter

  • 素
    もと

    element / basis / origin

Example sentences

Example 1

部屋は簡素にまとめている。

Translation

The room is kept simple.

Example 2

結婚式は簡素に行った。

Translation

The wedding was held simply.

Example 3

水は二つの元素からできている。

Translation

Water is made from two elements.

Example 4

元素の性質を調べる実験をした。

Translation

I did an experiment to study the properties of elements.

Related word posts

Kanji 素: elementary, principle, naked, uncovered | Daily Nihongo