Meet 省 in government names and in everyday words about reflection and saving.
The idea
省 has nine strokes. Its reading depends on the word: 省（しょう） is a ministry, 反省（はんせい） is reflection, and 省く（はぶく） means to omit.
| Japanese word | Reading |
|---|---|
| 省 | しょう |
| 反省 | はんせい |
| 省く | はぶく |
| 省エネ | しょうエネ |
Examples
- 文部科学省は新しい資料を公開しました。The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology published new materials.
- 父は省で働いています。My father works at a ministry.
- 失敗を反省して、次に生かします。I reflect on my mistake and use what I learned next time.
- 説明の一部を省きます。I will omit part of the explanation.
- 電気を消して、省エネを心がけます。I turn off the lights and make an effort to save energy.
- 手間を省くために、道具を使います。I use a tool to save effort.
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No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not read every 省 as しょう: 省く uses はぶく, while 反省 uses せい. Learn the whole word.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 省 meaning ministry in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
しょう
省 is しょう when it means a ministry, as in 文部科学省.
Write the reading of 反省 in hiragana.
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はんせい
反省 is はんせい: its 省 is read せい, and the word means reflection.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿エネ（しょうエネ）［省／少］.
Show answer or example answer
省
省 completes 省エネ, read しょうエネ, meaning energy saving.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 省 meaning ministry in hiragana.
Write the reading of 反省 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿エネ（しょうエネ）［省／少］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 省 using the linked stroke diagram, then read the table aloud and make a sentence with 省く.