竹: the kanji for bamboo
竹 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means bamboo. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
竹 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
竹 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
チク (chiku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 竹林ちくりん · chikurin | bamboo grove |
| 竹馬の友ちくばのとも · chikuba no tomo | childhood friend |
たけ (take)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 竹たけ · take | bamboo |
| 竹の子たけのこ · takenoko | bamboo shoot |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 竹, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 竹刀しない · shinai | bamboo sword (for kendo) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 京都の竹林の中を散歩した。Kyōto no chikurin no naka o sanpo shita.I took a walk through a bamboo grove in Kyoto.
- 春は竹の子がおいしい季節だ。Haru wa takenoko ga oishii kisetsu da.Spring is the season when bamboo shoots are delicious.
- 竹で作ったかごを買った。Take de tsukutta kago o katta.I bought a basket made of bamboo.
- 剣道では竹刀を使う。Kendō de wa shinai o tsukau.In kendo, you use a bamboo sword.
- 彼とは竹馬の友だ。Kare to wa chikuba no tomo da.He and I have been friends since we were children.
Questions about 竹
How many strokes does 竹 have?
竹 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 竹?
The on readings are chiku (チク). The kun readings are take (たけ).
What JLPT level is 竹?
N2. 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 N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Nature, weather and animals
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 竹
- 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.