紫
紫·purple, violet
- On-yomi
- し
- Kun-yomi
- むらさき
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 紫 | むらさき | purple |
| 紫色 | むらさきいろ | purple (colour) |
| 紫外線 | しがいせん | ultraviolet rays |
| 紫陽花 | あじさい | hydrangea |
Example sentences
夕焼けで空が紫に染まった。
ゆうやけでそらがむらさきにそまった。
The sunset dyed the sky purple.
夏は紫外線が強いので注意してください。
なつはしがいせんがつよいのでちゅういしてください。
Be careful in summer, the UV is strong.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 紫外線 uses the on-reading: しがいせん, not むらさき.
- 紫陽花 is read あじさい as a whole — the kanji are not read separately.
Memory aid
Picture it
此 over the thread radical 糸: dyed thread — purple was the costliest dye, reserved for the highest ranks.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 紫 mean?