化
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
ば-ける
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
カ、ケ
Meaning
Change, transform, -ize
Stroke Count
4 strokes
Examples
文化
Related Vocabulary
📝 How to Remember
With 4 strokes, 「化」is easy to write once you learn the stroke order. Practice writing it 5 times daily until it becomes automatic.
⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi
「化」has both On-yomi (カ、ケ) and Kun-yomi (ば-ける). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.
🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested
もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)
「化」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do you read the kanji 「化」?+
On-yomi: カ、ケ. Kun-yomi: ば-ける.
What does 「化」mean in Japanese?+
「化」means "Change, transform, -ize". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「化」have?+
「化」is written with 4 strokes.
Is 「化」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「化」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Can you give an example sentence using 「化」?+
Yes: 文化. Practicing kanji in context is one of the most effective ways to remember them.
Practice 「化」 with AI