The Kanji: 電 (Den)
The Japanese kanji 電 (den) means "electricity" or "electric." It is a foundational character used in numerous modern words related to power, electronics, and technology. Its original concept combines the ideas of "rain" (雨) and "spreading" (申), evoking the phenomenon of lightning.
The correct stroke order for 電 is essential for balanced writing. This 13-stroke kanji is written from top to bottom: start with the "rain" radical (雨), followed by the component below it.
Common Compound Words
電気 (denki): Electricity; electric light.
電話 (denwa): Telephone.
電車 (densha): Train (electric train).
電池 (denchi): Battery.
テレビ (terebi): Television (abbreviated from テレビジョン terebijon, which uses 電).
Example Sentences
For "Electricity":
Kanji: 電気を消してください。
Reading: Denki o keshite kudasai.
Meaning: Please turn off the light.
For "Telephone":
Kanji: 母に電話します。
Reading: Haha ni denwa shimasu.
Meaning: I will call my mother on the phone.
For "Train":
Kanji:****電車で仕事に行きます。
Reading: Densha de shigoto ni ikimasu.
Meaning: I go to work by train.
In summary, 電 is the essential kanji for "electricity," appearing in countless modern vocabulary words. Mastering its correct stroke order is a fundamental step in learning Japanese kanji writing.