Explore 波 in water, figurative trends and radio signals. Learn each reading with a whole word.
The idea
波 has 8 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 波 is なみ on its own, as in 波の音; in 電波 it is ぱ, while 津波 is つなみ.
Examples
- 波が高いです。The waves are high.
- 波の音を聞いています。I am listening to the sound of the waves.
- 津波から逃げてください。Please flee from the tsunami.
- 電波が弱くて電話が切れました。The signal was weak, so the call dropped.
- 流行の波が変わりました。The tide of fashion has changed.
- 海岸に大きな波が押し寄せました。A large wave surged onto the shore.
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
Do not assume every compound uses は: 津波 retains なみ, while 電波 has the changed sound ぱ. 皮 lacks the water component 氵.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 波 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
なみ
波 is なみ: 波が高い means the waves are high.
Write the reading of 電波 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
でんぱ
電波 is でんぱ; here 波 is pronounced ぱ in a word for radio waves or signal.
Choose the missing kanji: 津＿（つなみ）［波／皮］.
Show answer or example answer
波
波 completes 津波（つなみ）, a tsunami. The water component distinguishes it from 皮.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 波 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 電波 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 津＿（つなみ）［波／皮］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write 波 following the diagram, cover the examples, then read 波 and 電波 and make a sentence with one.