Japanese kanji 図: diagram; map

The idea

Kanji may have native Japanese readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn a reading with its word. Learn complete words: 図 (ず) means a diagram; an illustration, and 図書館 (としょかん) means a library. 図 has 7 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Examples

• 図ずを見みて答こたえてください。Please look at the diagram and answer.
• この図ずは駅えきの入いり口ぐちを表あらわしています。This diagram shows the station entrance.
• 図書館としょかんで本ほんを借かりました。I borrowed a book from the library.
• 明日あした図書館としょかんへ行いきます。I will go to the library tomorrow.
• 地図ちずで道みちを調しらべます。I look up the route on a map.
• この地図ちずは見みやすいです。This map is easy to read.

Watch out

図 is ず alone and in 地図, but と in 図書館. Remember each whole word. Do not guess a word’s reading or meaning from the character alone: compare 図 and 図書館. Also compare the shapes of 図 and 困; they are different characters.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 図 in hiragana.

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   ず

   図 is read ず and means a diagram; an illustration.

2. Write the reading of 図書館 in hiragana.

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   としょかん

   図書館 is read としょかん and means a library.

3. Fill in the missing kanji: 地＿（ちず）.

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   図

   図 completes 地図, read ちず; the word means a map.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 図 from memory, read 図 and 図書館 aloud, and make a sentence with one of them.