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N3

Kanji 形: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 形: shape, form, style

Key takeaways

Kanji 形: shape, form, style. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N3

Meaning

shapeformstyle

On reading

ケイギョウ

Kun reading

かた-がたかたちなり

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 形

shape, form, style

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

开 + 彡

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

By opening (开) something and checking the patterns or textures (彡) inside, you can determine its overall shape. This character is used to represent the form of objects, as seen in words like form (形態) or doll (人形).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ケイ
  • 形成けいせい

    formation / development / shaping

  • 形勢けいせい

    situation / condition / prospects

  • 形態けいたい

    form / shape / structure

  • 原形げんけい

    original form / base form

  • 地形じぎょう

    terrain / landform / topography

  • 形式けいしき

    form / format / style

  • 形容詞けいようし

    true adjective / descriptive word

  • 形容動詞けいようどうし

    adjectival noun / quasi-adjective

Kun reading

かた
  • かたち

    shape / form / figure

Commonly used words

  • 形成
    けいせい

    formation / development / shaping

  • 形勢
    けいせい

    situation / condition / prospects

  • 形態
    けいたい

    form / shape / structure

  • 原形
    げんけい

    original form / base form

  • 地形
    じぎょう

    terrain / landform / topography

  • 形式
    けいしき

    form / format / style

  • かたち

    shape / form / figure

Example sentences

Example 1

雲の成が早いです。

Translation

The formation of clouds is fast.

Example 2

意見の成には時間が必要です。

Translation

It takes time to form an opinion.

Example 3

今の勢は彼に有利だ。

Translation

The current situation is favorable to him.

Example 4

試合の勢が変わった。

Translation

The condition of the match has changed.

Kanji 形: shape, form, style | Daily Nihongo