蚕: the kanji for silkworm
蚕 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means silkworm. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
蚕 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
蚕 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 3 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
サン (san)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 養蚕ようさん · yōsan | silkworm raising |
| 蚕糸さんし · sanshi | silk thread |
かいこ (kaiko)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 蚕かいこ · kaiko | silkworm |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 群馬県は昔から養蚕が盛んだった。Gunma-ken wa mukashi kara yōsan ga sakan datta.Gunma Prefecture has long been known for silkworm raising.
- 蚕は桑の葉を食べて育つ。Kaiko wa kuwa no ha o tabete sodatsu.Silkworms grow by eating mulberry leaves.
- 学校で蚕を育てた。Gakkō de kaiko o sodateta.We raised silkworms at school.
- 蚕糸の博物館を見学した。Sanshi no hakubutsukan o kengaku shita.I toured a museum of silk.
- 養蚕農家は少なくなった。Yōsan nōka wa sukunaku natta.There are fewer silkworm farmers now.
Questions about 蚕
How many strokes does 蚕 have?
蚕 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 蚕?
The on readings are san (サン). The kun readings are kaiko (かいこ).
What JLPT level is 蚕?
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
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 蚕
- 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.