絹: the kanji for silk
絹 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means silk. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
絹 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
絹 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).
ケン (ken)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 人絹じんけん · jinken | rayon; artificial silk |
| 絹布けんぷ · kenpu | silk cloth |
きぬ (kinu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 絹きぬ · kinu | silk |
| 絹糸きぬいと · kinuito | silk thread |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- このスカーフは絹でできている。Kono sukāfu wa kinu de dekite iru.This scarf is made of silk.
- 蚕が絹糸を吐く。Kaiko ga kinuito o haku.Silkworms spin silk thread.
- 絹のような手触りの布だ。Kinu no yō na tezawari no nuno da.It is cloth with a silky feel.
- 人絹は絹に似せて作った糸だ。Jinken wa kinu ni nisete tsukutta ito da.Rayon is a thread made to resemble silk.
- 昔、この地方では絹布を織っていた。Mukashi, kono chihō de wa kenpu o otte ita.Long ago, silk cloth was woven in this region.
Questions about 絹
How many strokes does 絹 have?
絹 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 絹?
The on readings are ken (ケン). The kun readings are kinu (きぬ).
What JLPT level is 絹?
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 絹
- 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.