Recognize 際 in 際, 実際 and 国際; learn each complete word in context.

The idea

際 (さい) means occasion; when; 実際 (じっさい) means reality; actual; 国際 (こくさい) means international. 際 has 14 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram to write them in order. Learn each reading with its word. Sino-Japanese reading: サイ（国際）; Japanese-origin reading: きわ（際）.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
際さいoccasion; when
実際じっさいreality; actual
国際こくさいinternational

Examples

  • お帰かえりの際さいに、受付うけつけへ鍵かぎを返かえしてください。Please return the key to reception when you leave.
  • 利用りようの際さいは、予約よやくが必要ひつようです。A reservation is required when using it.
  • その店みせに実際じっさいに行いきました。I actually went to that shop.
  • 実際じっさいの大おおきさは写真しゃしんと違ちがいます。The actual size is different from the photograph.
  • この町まちでは国際こくさい交流こうりゅうが盛さかんです。International exchange is thriving in this town.
  • 来月らいげつ、国際こくさい会議かいぎが開ひらかれます。An international conference will be held next month.

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

Watch out

〜の際に is a formal way to say “when” or “on the occasion of.” In 窓際 (まどぎわ), 際 instead means the edge or area by a window and is read ぎわ. Compare 際 and 祭; their components differ: 際＝阝＋祭.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 際 in hiragana.

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    さい

    際 is read さい and means occasion; when.

  2. Write the reading of 実際 in hiragana.

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    じっさい

    実際 is read じっさい and means reality; actual.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 国＿（こくさい）.

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    際

    際 completes 国際, read こくさい; the word means international.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 際 from memory, then read 際 and 実際 aloud and make a sentence with one of them.