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JLPT N114画 · 14 strokesradical 酉grade 5freq #1218

acid, bitterness, sour, tart

On'yomi (音読み)

  • サン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • す.い

Mnemonic

The 酉 bird perched over a sour lemon, squawking that the acidic taste makes it pucker and feel bitter.

About this kanji

The kanji 酸 primarily means "acid" or "sour," and it is used mainly as a noun. It often appears in scientific contexts. For example, 酸化 (さんか) means "oxidation," referring to a chemical reaction. 酸性 (さんせい) translates to "acidity," describing the level of acidity in substances. Another common usage is 酸素 (さんそ), which means "oxygen," an essential element for life. A quick note: while 酸 often refers to something unpleasantly sour or acidic, in chemistry, it has a specific meaning that is quite important.

Example sentences

  • 酢は酸味がある調味料です。

    Vinegar is a sour seasoning.

Meanings across languages

English
acid, bitterness, sour, tart
Tiếng Việt
axit
日本語
한국어
中文
id
asam
th
กรด
es
ácido
fr
acide
de
Säure
pt
ácido

Common compounds

  • 酸化さんかoxidation, oxidization
  • 酸性さんせいacidity, acidic
  • 酸素さんそoxygen (O)
  • 核酸かくさんnucleic acid
  • 炭酸たんさんcarbonic acid, carbonated water, carbonated drink
  • 酸っぱいすっぱいsour, acid
  • 一酸化炭素いっさんかたんそcarbon monoxide
  • 硝酸しょうさんnitric acid

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