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kanji

noun, often attributive kan·ji \ ˈkän-(ˌ)jē \

Definition of kanji

plural kanji

: a Japanese system of writing that utilizes characters borrowed or adapted from Chinese writing; also : a single character in the kanji system — compare kana

Recent Examples of kanji from the Web

About Names explains that the name Kenzo is sometimes given to the third child of a family, and in kanji is often written using a character representing the number three when used in that context.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "No, Kevin Hart probably did not name his child after a Philly neighborhood," 2 Oct. 2017
The intro screens are an unappealing mess of bad art and blurry kanji, the chiptunes ever so slightly grating.

— chris kohler, WIRED, "Hands-On: Gradius Rebirth, More Old-School WiiWare," 2 Sep. 2008

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kanji.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of kanji

Japanese

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1920

See Words from the same year

Learn More about kanji

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kanji

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

Kanisian

Kanjera man

kanji

Kankakee

Kankanai

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