Explore 管 in physical pipes and in words about looking after things.

The idea

管 has 14 strokes; follow the linked diagram. Read 管（くだ） on its own and 管理（かんり）, 保管（ほかん） and 水道管（すいどうかん） as whole words.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
管くだWe replaced the old pipe with a new one.
水道管すいどうかんWater is leaking from the water pipe.
管理かんりShe manages the company budget.
保管ほかんThe person in charge will keep the documents in safekeeping.
管楽器かんがっきI can hear a wind instrument.

Examples

  • 水道管すいどうかんから水みずが漏もれています。Water is leaking from the water pipe.
  • 古ふるい管くだを新あたらしいものに交換こうかんしました。We replaced the old pipe with a new one.
  • 彼女かのじょは会社かいしゃの予算よさんを管理かんりしています。She manages the company budget.
  • 管楽器かんがっきの音おとが聞きこえます。I can hear a wind instrument.
  • 書類しょるいは担当者たんとうしゃが保管ほかんします。The person in charge will keep the documents in safekeeping.
  • 健康けんこうのために体重たいじゅうを管理かんりしています。I manage my weight for my health.

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

Watch out

管 can mean a tube, but 管理 means management and 保管 means safekeeping. Do not assume every compound refers to a physical pipe. Compare its bamboo top with 官.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 管 in 管を交換する in hiragana.

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    くだ

    管 is くだ in 管を交換する: replace a pipe. Learn the reading with the word.

  2. Write the reading of 管理 in hiragana.

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    かんり

    管理 is かんり: management; 管理する means to manage.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 保＿（ほかん）［管／官］.

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    管

    管 completes 保管（ほかん）, safekeeping. 官 lacks the bamboo top.

Use it today

Write 管 using the diagram, cover the table, then read 管 and 管理 and make a sentence with one.