Kanji: 帯 (Belt/Zone/Wear)
The kanji 帯 carries multiple related meanings: "belt," "sash," "zone," and "to wear" (specifically around the waist or body). It represents something long and narrow that surrounds or is worn.
Key Reading:
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading): おび (obi)
On-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading): タイ (tai)
Common Words & Usage:
帯 (obi) - Noun. A kimono sash.
地帯 (chitai) - Noun. Zone, area, belt (e.g., 工業地帯 - industrial zone).
熱帯 (nettai) - Noun. The tropics.
携帯 (keitai) - Noun. Mobile phone (short for 携帯電話).
Example Sentence:
Japanese: 日本の女性は着物に美しい帯を締める。
Romaji: Nihon no josei wa kimono ni utsukushii obi o shimeru.
English: Japanese women tie beautiful sashes on their kimonos.
Learning the correct stroke order for kanji like 帯 is essential for balanced, legible Japanese handwriting and is a fundamental part of mastering kanji writing.