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N5

Kanji 長: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 長: long, leader, superior, senior

Key takeaways

Kanji 長: long, leader, superior, senior. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N5

Meaning

longleadersuperiorsenior

On reading

チョウ

Kun reading

なが.いおさ

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 長

long, leader, superior, senior

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This character is a pictograph of an elderly person with long hair leaning on a walking stick. The long hair represents the meaning 'long,' while the seniority of the person leads to the meaning 'leader' or 'head.' You can remember these dual meanings through words like 'principal' (school head) or 'long-distance' running.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

チョウ
  • 長官ちょうかん

    chief / head (government secretary)

  • 長大ちょうだい

    very long / great length

  • 長編ちょうへん

    long work / full-length (e.g. novel, film)

  • 年長ねんちょう

    seniority / older age

  • 延長えんちょう

    extension / prolongation

  • 生長せいちょう

    growth / development

  • 長所ちょうしょ

    strong point / advantage

  • 長女ちょうじょ

    eldest daughter

Kun reading

なが.い
  • おさ

    chief / head / leader

  • 長いながい

    long / lengthened

Commonly used words

  • 長官
    ちょうかん

    chief / head (government secretary)

  • 長大
    ちょうだい

    very long / great length

  • 長編
    ちょうへん

    long work / full-length (e.g. novel, film)

  • 年長
    ねんちょう

    seniority / older age

  • 延長
    えんちょう

    extension / prolongation

  • 生長
    せいちょう

    growth / development

  • おさ

    chief / head / leader

  • 長い
    ながい

    long / lengthened

Example sentences

Example 1

会社のが会議を始めた。

Translation

The head of the company started the meeting.

Example 2

村のに相談したほうがいい。

Translation

You should consult the village chief.

Example 3

官は重要な会議に出席した。

Translation

The chief attended an important meeting.

Example 4

彼は新しい官に選ばれた。

Translation

He was chosen as the new chief.

Kanji 長: long, leader, superior, senior | Daily Nihongo