Explore 満 in physical fullness and more abstract ideas. Learn each reading with a whole word.

The idea

満 has 12 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 満ちる（みちる） means to become full, while 満たす（みたす） means to fill something. Compounds include 満足（まんぞく） and 満月（まんげつ）.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
満足まんぞくI am satisfied with the result.
満月まんげつThe full moon looks beautiful tonight.
未満みまんChildren under six enter free.
満ちるみちるThe train is crowded with passengers.

Examples

  • コップは水みずで満みたされています。The glass is full of water.
  • 電車でんしゃは乗客じょうきゃくで満みちています。The train is crowded with passengers.
  • 結果けっかに満足まんぞくしています。I am satisfied with the result.
  • 今夜こんやは満月まんげつがきれいです。The full moon looks beautiful tonight.
  • 六歳ろくさい未満みまんの子こどもは無料むりょうです。Children under six enter free.
  • 駐車場ちゅうしゃじょうは満車まんしゃになっています。The parking lot is full.

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

Watch out

未満（みまん） means less than a stated limit: 六歳未満 excludes children who are already six. Do not confuse it with 満足, satisfaction.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 満足 in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    まんぞく

    満足 is まんぞく; 結果に満足しています means being satisfied with the result.

  2. Write the reading of 満ちる in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    みちる

    満ちる is みちる. It describes something becoming full, as in a train filled with passengers.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 未＿（みまん）［満／足］.

    Show answer or example answer

    満

    満 completes 未満（みまん）, meaning less than the stated limit.

Use it today

Write 満 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 満足 and 満月, then make a sentence with one.