Explore 性 in the words 性格 and 男性. Learn the reading and meaning of each complete word in context.

The idea

Kanji may have Japanese-origin and Chinese-origin readings; learn each with its word. Compare 性格（せいかく） and 男性（だんせい）. 性 has 8 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
性格せいかくpersonality; character
男性だんせいman; male
可能性かのうせいpossibility

Examples

  • 彼かれは明あかるい性格せいかくです。He has a cheerful personality.
  • 性格せいかくが違ちがっても仲良なかよくできます。People can get along even if their personalities differ.
  • 男性だんせいも女性じょせいも参加さんかしました。Both men and women took part.
  • あの男性だんせいは先生せんせいです。That man is a teacher.
  • 午後ごごは雨あめが降ふる可能性かのうせいがあります。There is a possibility of rain in the afternoon.
  • 成功せいこうの可能性かのうせいを考かんがえます。I consider the possibility of success.

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

Watch out

性 can describe a quality or possibility as well as sex or gender; 性格 is a personality, not a gender. Compare the components: 性：忄＋生／生。

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 性格 in hiragana.

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    せいかく

    性格 is read せいかく; it means personality; character. Learn the reading as part of this word.

  2. Write the reading of 男性 in hiragana.

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    だんせい

    男性 is read だんせい; it means man; male. Learn the reading as part of this word.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 可能＿（かのうせい）.

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    性

    性 completes 可能性, read かのうせい; the word means possibility.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 性 from memory, and read 性格 and 男性 aloud. Then check the readings and meanings.