Japanese kanji 置: placing things and location

The idea

置 has 13 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram. Compare 置く（おく） with 位置（いち）: learn readings with whole words. N3 is an editorial estimate, not an official JLPT kanji list.

Examples

• 机つくえの上うえに本ほんを置おきます。I put a book on the desk.
• 地図ちずで駅えきの位置いちを確認かくにんします。I check the station’s location on the map.
• 靴くつの置おき場ばはどこですか。Where is the place for shoes?
• 荷物にもつはここに置おいてください。Please put your luggage here.
• 花はなを窓まどの近ちかくに置おきました。I put flowers near the window.
• 鍵かぎは机つくえの上うえに置おいてあります。The key has been left on the desk.

Watch out

With 置く, に marks where something is placed. 置いてある describes the resulting state of something deliberately left there; 位置（いち） means location and is not read おち. Compare 置 with 直: a shared component does not make them interchangeable.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 置く in hiragana.

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   おく

   置く is read おく. In context: I put a book on the desk.

2. Write the reading of 位置 in hiragana.

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   いち

   位置 is read いち. In context: I check the station’s location on the map.

3. Write this lesson’s kanji in the blank: ＿く（おく）.

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   置

   置 completes 置く, read おく. In context: I put a book on the desk.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 置 from memory, and read 置く and 位置 aloud. Then check the examples and make a sentence of your own.