藍: the kanji for indigo
藍 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means indigo. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
藍 is written in 18 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
藍 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).
ラン (ran)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 出藍しゅつらん · shutsuran | the pupil surpassing the master |
あい (ai)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 藍あい · ai | indigo |
| 藍色あいいろ · aiiro | indigo blue |
| 藍染めあいぞめ · aizome | indigo dyeing |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 徳島は藍染めで知られている。Tokushima wa aizome de shirarete iru.Tokushima is known for indigo dyeing.
- 藍色のハンカチをもらった。Aiiro no hankachi o moratta.I received an indigo handkerchief.
- 藍で布を染める体験をした。Ai de nuno o someru taiken o shita.I tried dyeing cloth with indigo.
- …出藍の誉れとは、弟子が師よりすぐれることだ。Shutsuran no homare to wa, deshi ga shi yori sugureru koto da."Shutsuran no homare" means the pupil surpassing the master.
- …藍染めのシャツは長く着られる。Aizome no shatsu wa nagaku kirareru.Indigo-dyed shirts can be worn for a long time.
Questions about 藍
How many strokes does 藍 have?
藍 is written in 18 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 藍?
The on readings are ran (ラン). The kun readings are ai (あい).
What JLPT level is 藍?
N1. 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 N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Science, materials and colors
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 藍
- 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.