水 – Water (Sui / Mizu Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 水.
Kanji 水 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
水 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 水曜日 (suiyoubi – Wednesday), 水泳 (suiei – swimming), and 水分 (suibun – moisture, water content).
Used as the standalone noun 水 (mizu – water), and as a prefix in words such as 水色 (mizuiro – light blue) and 水着 (mizugi – swimsuit).
水 Stroke Order – How to Write 水
水 is written with 4 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the central vertical hook first, then the short upper-left diagonal, followed by the lower-left diagonal, and finish with the lower-right diagonal.
Common Words Using 水 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 水, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 水
See 水 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
水を飲みたいです。
みずを のみたいです。
Mizu o nomitai desu.
I want to drink water.
今日は水曜日です。
きょうは すいようびです。
Kyou wa suiyoubi desu.
Today is Wednesday.
夏休みに水泳を習いました。
なつやすみに すいえいを ならいました。
Natsuyasumi ni suiei o naraimashita.
I learned swimming during summer vacation.
彼女は水色のドレスを着ています。
かのじょは みずいろの ドレスを きています。
Kanojo wa mizuiro no doresu o kite imasu.
She is wearing a light blue dress.
海水はとてもしょっぱいです。
かいすいは とても しょっぱいです。
Kaisui wa totemo shoppai desu.
Seawater is very salty.
Frequently Asked Questions About 水
What does the Kanji 水 mean?
水 means "water." It is one of the most common JLPT N5 kanji, seen in words like 水曜日 (suiyoubi, Wednesday) and 水泳 (suiei, swimming).
What is the Onyomi reading of 水?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 水 is スイ (sui), as in 水曜日 (suiyoubi, Wednesday) and 水泳 (suiei, swimming).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 水?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 水 is みず (mizu), meaning "water."
How many strokes does 水 have?
水 is written with 4 strokes.
Is 水 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 水 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is extremely common, appearing in essential words like 水 (water) and 水曜日 (Wednesday).
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