1. Kanji Breakdown: 青
This kanji represents a color that holds a unique and broad meaning in Japanese, different from English.
Meaning: Blue; green; immature, unripe; youthful. In Japanese, "青" traditionally covers a wider spectrum than English "blue," often including what English speakers would call "green" (e.g., green traffic lights are 青信号).
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): セイ (sei), ショウ (shou)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): あお (ao)
The kanji is a compound ideograph (会意文字). Its original form combined:
Top (生): Meaning "life," "birth," or "to grow."
Bottom (丹): Meaning "cinnabar" (a red mineral), but here representing a well or a pit.
The original meaning was the "vibrant, life-giving color" that appears in nature, such as the color of lush plants and the clear sky. This evolved to mean the color itself, and by extension, something that is fresh, young, and not yet mature (like unripe fruit, which is often green).
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "青" has 8 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 8
Start with the top horizontal stroke.
The second horizontal stroke just below.
The third horizontal stroke just below (the longest of the three).
The left vertical stroke.
The right vertical stroke.
The left-falling stroke inside.
The right-falling stroke inside.
The final horizontal stroke that seals the bottom.
Key Writing Tips:
Write from top to bottom.
The top three horizontal strokes should be evenly spaced, with the third one being the longest.
The two vertical strokes should be parallel and straight.
The final horizontal stroke (8) is crucial as it provides a stable base for the entire character.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "青" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
青い (あおい, aoi)
Meaning: Blue; green; pale (of face).
Example: 青い海がとてもきれいだ。
Romaji: Aoi umi ga totemo kirei da.
English: The blue sea is very beautiful.
青空 (あおぞら, aozora)
Meaning: Blue sky.
Example: 今日は快晴で、青空が広がっている。
Romaji: Kyō wa kaisei de, aozora ga hirogatte iru.
English: It's a fine, clear day today, and the blue sky stretches out above.
青年 (せいねん, seinen)
Meaning: Youth, young man.
Example: 彼は立派な青年に成長した。
Romaji: Kare wa rippana seinen ni seichō shita.
English: He grew up to be a fine young man.
青信号 (あおしんごう, aoshingō)
Meaning: Green traffic light. (This is the prime example of "青" meaning "green").
Example: 青信号になったので、道を渡った。
Romaji: Aoshingō ni natta node, michi o watatta.
English: The light turned green, so I crossed the street.
青酸 (せいさん, seisan)
Meaning: Cyanide (hydrocyanic acid).
Example: 青酸カリは猛毒だ。
Romaji: Seisan kari wa mōdoku da.
English: Potassium cyanide is a potent poison.
青二才 (あおにさい, aonisai)
Meaning: Greenhorn, inexperienced youth (slightly derogatory).
Example: あの青二才が何を知っているというんだ。
Romaji: Ano aonisai ga nani o shitte iru to iun da.
English: What does that greenhorn know?
Summary
Kanji: 青
Core Meaning: Blue; Green; Immature, Youthful.
Readings: On'yomi セイ (sei), Kun'yomi あお (ao)
Stroke Order: 8 strokes. Focus on the three top horizontals and the stable base.
This kanji is essential for describing colors, nature, and stages of life in Japanese. Its broad color meaning is a key cultural and linguistic point. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this vibrant character.