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JLPT N18画 · 8 strokesradical 八grade 4freq #1055

code, ceremony, law, rule

On'yomi (音読み)

  • テン
  • デン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • ふみ
  • のり

Mnemonic

Imagine a wise judge with eight scrolls of law, leading a grand ceremony that establishes the codes everyone must follow.

About this kanji

The kanji 典 primarily means 'code' or 'ceremony' and is often used as a noun. You’ll find it in words like 古典 (こてん), meaning 'classic work' or 'classic literature,' and 式典 (しきてん), which refers to a 'ceremony' or formal event. Another common compound is 典型 (てんけい), meaning 'type' or 'model.' This kanji has a formal connotation and is often associated with traditional or important events and texts. When learning this kanji, remember that it often appears in contexts related to cultural practices or significant documents.

Example sentences

  • 古典の文学を楽しむ。

    I enjoy classical literature.

Meanings across languages

English
code, ceremony, law, rule
Tiếng Việt
mã, nghi lễ, luật pháp, quy tắc
日本語
てん, きてい, だ
한국어
코드, 의식, 법, 규칙
中文
典, 仪式, 法律, 规则
id
kode, ceremonial, hukum, aturan
th
รหัส, พิธีกรรม, กฎหมาย, กฎ
es
código, ceremonia, ley, regla
fr
code, cérémonie, loi, règle
de
Code, Zeremonie, Gesetz, Regel
pt
código, cerimônia, lei, regra

Common compounds

  • 古典こてんclassic (work, esp. book), the classics
  • 式典しきてんceremony, rites
  • 典型てんけいtype, pattern, model
  • 祭典さいてんfestival
  • 事典じてんencyclopedia
  • 特典とくてんprivilege, special favor, special favour
  • 辞典じてんdictionary, lexicon
  • 古典的こてんてきclassical, classic

Want to actually learn this kanji?

The dictionary is one view. The Kanji 360 app wraps every character with mnemonic images, audio readings, stroke-order animation, story context, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.