Japanese kanji 処: handling and responding

The idea

処 has 5 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram. Compare 処理（しょり） with 対処（たいしょ）. Learn the reading with the whole word, not the character in isolation.

Examples

• 問題もんだいに冷静れいせいに対処たいしょします。I deal with the problem calmly.
• 書類しょるいを順番じゅんばんに処理しょりします。I process the documents in order.
• 古ふるい家具かぐを処分しょぶんしました。I disposed of the old furniture.
• 情報じょうほうの処理しょりに時間じかんがかかります。Processing the information takes time.
• 応急処置おうきゅうしょちを学校がっこうで学まなびます。I learn first aid at school.
• 問題もんだいに対処たいしょする方法ほうほうを考かんがえます。I think of a way to deal with the problem.

Watch out

処理 is processing or handling a task; 対処 is responding to a situation or problem. Do not confuse 処 with 所, as in 台所（だいどころ）, “kitchen”: the characters and words are different.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 処理 in hiragana.

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   しょり

   処理 is read しょり. In context: I process the documents in order.

2. Write the reading of 対処 in hiragana.

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   たいしょ

   対処 is read たいしょ. In context: I deal with the problem calmly.

3. Write the missing kanji: ＿分（しょぶん）.

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   処

   処 completes 処分, read しょぶん. In context: I disposed of the old furniture.

Use it today

Write 処 three times using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read 処理 and 対処 aloud, then check their readings and meanings.