Explore 砂 in everyday words for sand, landscapes and food. Learn each reading together with its word.
The idea
砂 has 9 strokes; follow the linked diagram. The standalone word 砂 is すな; 砂浜 is すなはま. In 砂漠 and 砂糖 it is read さ: さばく and さとう.
| Word | Reading |
|---|---|
| 砂 | すな |
| 砂浜 | すなはま |
| 砂漠 | さばく |
| 砂糖 | さとう |
Examples
- 子供たちは砂で遊んでいます。The children are playing in the sand.
- 私たちは砂浜を歩きました。We walked along the sandy beach.
- 砂漠では雨があまり降りません。Little rain falls in the desert.
- コーヒーに砂糖を入れました。I put sugar in my coffee.
- 靴の中に砂が入りました。Sand got into my shoes.
- 風が砂を道の向こうに運びました。The wind carried sand across the road.
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
砂糖 means sugar, not sand, despite containing 砂. Do not assume one reading fits every compound; learn the complete word.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 砂 in hiragana.
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すな
砂 is すな, the word for sand; children can play in it.
Write the reading of 砂漠 in hiragana.
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さばく
砂漠 is さばく, a desert; the compound uses さ.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿糖（さとう）［砂／石］.
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砂
砂 completes 砂糖（さとう）, meaning sugar, as in coffee.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 砂 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 砂漠 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿糖（さとう）［砂／石］.
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 砂 using the stroke diagram. Cover the table, read 砂浜 and 砂漠, then make a sentence with one.