Explore 種 in words for seeds and kinds. Connect each reading to a whole word and its context.
The idea
種 has 14 strokes. Its kun reading is たね in 種, while the on reading しゅ appears in 種類 and 種目. Follow the linked stroke-order diagram.
Examples
- 庭に花の種をまきました。I planted flower seeds in the garden.
- この店にはお茶の種類がたくさんあります。This shop has many kinds of tea.
- どんな種類の果物が好きですか。What kind of fruit do you like?
- この種は春に芽が出ます。This seed will sprout in spring.
- 水泳は私の好きな種目です。Swimming is my favorite sport.
- パンは二つの種類があります。There are two kinds of bread.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
種 can mean a seed or a kind; 種類 specifically refers to a type or variety. Do not read every occurrence as たね: compounds often use しゅ.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 種 in hiragana.
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たね
種 alone is たね: here it means seeds to plant.
Write the reading of 種類 in hiragana.
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しゅるい
種類 is しゅるい; it means kinds or varieties.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿目（しゅもく）［種／重］.
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種
種 completes 種目（しゅもく）, an event or discipline in sport.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 種 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 種類 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿目（しゅもく）［種／重］.
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 種 using the diagram, then cover the readings and read 種 and 種類 aloud. Make a sentence about a kind of flower.