kanji

noun

kan·​ji ˈkän-(ˌ)jē How to pronounce kanji (audio)
plural kanji
often attributive
: a Japanese system of writing that utilizes characters borrowed or adapted from Chinese writing
also : a single character in the kanji system compare kana

Examples of kanji in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Instead, the three kanji and a heart made a square. Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, 31 Jan. 2019 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, 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, 2 Sep. 2008

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kanji.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kanji was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near kanji

Cite this Entry

“Kanji.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kanji. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on kanji

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!