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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

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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