川
🌿 Nature3 strokesJLPT N5
River
かわ・せん
📖 Meaning & Origin
The 川 radical depicts three flowing lines — the streams of a river. It symbolizes water in motion, flow, and rivers in nature.
📚 Kanji by JLPT Level
N5N4(Coming soon)N3(Coming soon)N2(Coming soon)N1(Coming soon)
💡 Teacher's Memory Tip
Three vertical wavy lines side by side — water flowing downstream. Think of standing on a bridge watching three currents pass below.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does this radical mean?
The 川 radical means 'river' or 'stream.' The three strokes represent the multiple channels of a flowing river.
Which N5 kanji have this radical?
At N5, 川 (river) is the key kanji. It combines with other kanji in place names across Japan — many Japanese rivers end in 川 (かわ).
How can I remember this radical?
Draw three lines flowing in the same direction — like a river's current. 川 looks like three streams merging into one river.
Other N5 Radicals
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