Recognize 安 in everyday Japanese, learn its meanings (low price and peace of mind) and read it as part of complete words.

The idea

A kanji can have Japanese-origin readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn each reading with its word. Compare 安い（やすい） and 安心（あんしん） in the table. 安 has 6 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
安いやすいinexpensive
安心あんしんrelief; peace of mind
安全あんぜんsafety; safe
不安ふあんanxiety; uneasy

Examples

  • このパンはとても安やすいです。This bread is very inexpensive.
  • 安やすい靴くつを探さがしています。I am looking for inexpensive shoes.
  • この店みせは野菜やさいが安やすいです。Vegetables are inexpensive at this shop.
  • 安全あんぜんな道みちを歩あるきます。I walk along a safe road.
  • 家族かぞくが元気げんきで安心あんしんしました。I was relieved that my family was well.
  • 試験しけんの前まえは不安ふあんです。I feel anxious before an exam.

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

Watch out

安い is read やすい, while 安心 is read あんしん. Learn the reading of each complete word; the character does not have just one pronunciation. 安い describes a low price; it does not by itself mean poor quality. 安心 and 安全 concern relief and safety, not price.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 安い in hiragana.

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    やすい

    安い is read やすい; the expression means “inexpensive”.

  2. Write the reading of 安心 in hiragana.

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    あんしん

    安心 is read あんしん; the expression means “relief; peace of mind”.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿心（あんしん）.

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    安

    安 completes 安心, read あんしん; the expression means “relief; peace of mind”.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 安 from memory, and read 安い and 安心 aloud. Check both the readings and meanings.