Explore 央 through places and institutions described as central. Learn its reading in complete words.

The idea

央 has five strokes and the on-reading おう. In 中央（ちゅうおう）, it combines with 中 to mean the center; 中央政府 means central government. Follow the linked stroke diagram.

Examples

  • 公園こうえんの中央ちゅうおうに噴水ふんすいがあります。There is a fountain in the center of the park.
  • 紙かみの中央ちゅうおうに名前なまえを書かいてください。Please write your name in the center of the paper.
  • 中央政府ちゅうおうせいふが新あたらしい政策せいさくを発表はっぴょうしました。The central government announced a new policy.
  • 中央図書館ちゅうおうとしょかんで本ほんを借かりました。I borrowed a book from the central library.
  • 中央ちゅうおうの入口いりぐちは混こんでいます。The central entrance is crowded.
  • 部屋へやの中央ちゅうおうに絵えが飾かざってあります。The picture is displayed in the center of the room.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

央 is usually encountered in compounds, not as a standalone everyday word. Do not confuse its shape with 英, which has an extra grass component at the top.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 中央 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    ちゅうおう

    中央 is ちゅうおう: the center. Keep the long vowels in both parts.

  2. Choose the missing kanji: 中＿（ちゅうおう）［央／英］.

    Show answer or example answer

    央

    央 completes 中央（ちゅうおう）; 英 has an additional component at the top.

  3. Write central government in Japanese kanji.

    Show answer or example answer

    中央政府

    中央政府（ちゅうおうせいふ） means central government: 中央 specifies the level of government.

Use it today

Write 央 following the diagram, then cover the examples and use 中央 in a sentence.