Back to dictionary
JLPT N17画 · 7 strokesradical 阜grade 4freq #503

heights, slope

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ハン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • さか

Mnemonic

Imagine climbing a steep slope with a sign at the top reading 'Heights Ahead' as you pant, feeling the struggle of the incline.

About this kanji

The kanji "阪" primarily refers to heights or slopes, which can often relate to geographical features. It is typically used as a noun, particularly in place names. For example, "大阪" (Osaka) is a major city, while "阪神" (Hanshin) refers to the area between Osaka and Kobe. Another compound is "京阪" (Keihan), which connects Kyoto and Osaka, showing its significance in transportation. Lastly, "来阪" (rai-han) means coming to Osaka, indicating travel. Keep in mind that this kanji is often used in geographical contexts, especially concerning cities in the Kansai region of Japan.

Example sentences

  • 大阪は食文化が豊かだ。

    Osaka has a rich food culture.

Meanings across languages

English
heights, slope
Tiếng Việt
đồi, dốc
日本語
坂, 傾斜
한국어
높이, 경사
中文
山坡, 斜坡
id
ketinggian, lereng
th
ความสูง, ลาด
es
alturas, pendiente
fr
hauteurs, versant
de
Höhen, Hang
pt
alturas, inclinação

Common compounds

  • 阪神はんしんOsaka-Kobe, Hanshin (company name: railway, dept. store, baseball team, etc.)
  • 京阪けいはんKyoto and Osaka, Kyoto-Osaka area
  • 大阪おおさかOsaka (city, prefecture)
  • 下阪げはんproceeding from Tokyo to Osaka
  • 来阪らいはんcoming to Osaka, visit to Osaka
  • 帰阪きはんreturning to Osaka, coming back (home) to Osaka
  • 在阪ざいはんbeing based in Osaka, being in Osaka
  • 阪急はんきゅうHankyu (Kansai area railway and retail conglomerate)

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.