写: the kanji for copy and photograph
写 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means copy, photograph. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
写 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
写 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シャ (sha)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 写真しゃしん · shashin | photo |
| 複写ふくしゃ · fukusha | copy; duplication |
| 描写びょうしゃ · byōsha | description; depiction |
| 映写えいしゃ · eisha | projection |
| 写生しゃせい · shasei | sketching from nature |
うつす (utsusu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 写すうつす · utsusu | to copy; to take (a photo) |
| 写しうつし · utsushi | copy |
うつる (utsuru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 写るうつる · utsuru | to appear (in a photo) |
| 写りうつり · utsuri | how one looks in a photo |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 写真を撮っていただけますか。Shashin o totte itadakemasu ka.Could you take a photo for us?
- 在留カードの写しを提出してください。Zairyū kādo no utsushi o teishutsu shite kudasai.Please submit a copy of your residence card.
- ホワイトボードの内容をノートに写しました。Howaitobōdo no naiyō o nōto ni utsushimashita.I copied what was on the whiteboard into my notebook.
- この写真にはみんなが写っています。Kono shashin ni wa minna ga utsutte imasu.Everyone is in this photo.
- ビザの申請に写真が二枚必要です。Biza no shinsei ni shashin ga nimai hitsuyō desu.You need two photos for the visa application.
- 写真の写りがいいですね。Shashin no utsuri ga ii desu ne.You look great in this photo.
Questions about 写
How many strokes does 写 have?
写 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 写?
The on readings are sha (シャ). The kun readings are utsusu (うつす), utsuru (うつる).
What is a 写し?
写し (utsushi) is a copy of a document. Offices often ask for the 写し of your passport or residence card. コピー (kopī) is the everyday word for the same thing.
What JLPT level is 写?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Study and thinking
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 写
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.