The character 立 relates to stand; set upright. Learn its readings together with whole words and see them in context.

The idea

Kanji may have native Japanese readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn a reading with its word. Learn complete words: 立つ (たつ) means to stand; to stand up, and 立てる (たてる) means to stand something up; to erect. 立 has 5 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
立つたつto stand; to stand up
立てるたてるto stand something up; to erect
立派りっぱsplendid; admirable

Examples

  • ドアのそばに立たちます。I stand by the door.
  • 電車でんしゃでずっと立たっています。I am standing the whole time on the train.
  • 本ほんを机つくえの上うえに立たてます。I stand the book upright on the desk.
  • 庭にわに旗はたを立たてました。I put up a flag in the garden.
  • 立派りっぱな図書館としょかんができました。A fine library has been built.
  • 立派りっぱな仕事しごとをしましたね。You did a splendid job.

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

Watch out

立つ describes standing; 立てる means putting something upright. 立派 is read りっぱ with a small っ. Do not guess a word’s reading or meaning from the character alone: compare 立つ and 立てる. Also compare the shapes of 立 and 位; they are different characters. Compare the components: 立／位：亻＋立.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 立つ in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    たつ

    立つ is read たつ and means to stand; to stand up.

  2. Write the reading of 立てる in hiragana.

    Show answer or example answer

    たてる

    立てる is read たてる and means to stand something up; to erect.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿派（りっぱ）.

    Show answer or example answer

    立

    立 completes 立派, read りっぱ; the word means splendid; admirable.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 立 from memory, read 立つ and 立てる aloud, and make a sentence with one of them.