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N2

Kanji 辛: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 辛: spicy, bitter, hot, acrid

Key takeaways

Kanji 辛: spicy, bitter, hot, acrid. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N2

Meaning

spicybitterhotacrid

On reading

シン

Kun reading

から.いつら.い-づら.いかのと

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 辛

spicy, bitter, hot, acrid

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

立 + 十

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Standing (立) for ten (十) hours straight is a very painful (辛) and difficult experience. This character is used to describe both spicy flavors and painful or bitter situations.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

シン
  • 香辛料こうしんりょう

    spices / seasonings

  • 辛抱しんぼう

    patience / endurance

Kun reading

から.い
  • 塩辛いしおからい

    salty (taste)

  • 辛いつらい

    painful / heartbreaking

  • 辛いからい

    spicy / hot (taste)

Commonly used words

  • 香辛料
    こうしんりょう

    spices / seasonings

  • 辛抱
    しんぼう

    patience / endurance

  • 塩辛い
    しおからい

    salty (taste)

  • 辛い
    つらい

    painful / heartbreaking

  • 辛い
    からい

    spicy / hot (taste)

Example sentences

Example 1

うじて試験に合格した。

Translation

I barely passed the exam.

Example 2

彼はうじて約束の時間に間に合った。

Translation

He just managed to be on time for the appointment.

Example 3

料理に香料を入れてみて。

Translation

Try adding spices to the dish.

Example 4

料は味を良くするためのものです。

Translation

Spices are used to improve flavor.

Kanji 辛: spicy, bitter, hot, acrid | Daily Nihongo