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JLPT N116画 · 16 strokesradical 艸freq #1849

send forth fragrance, fragrant, be scented, smoke (tobacco)

On'yomi (音読み)

  • クン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • かお.る

Mnemonic

As the 草 (grass) blooms, its 薫 (fragrance) wafts through the air, entangling your senses in a fragrant dance of smoke from the burning herbs.

About this kanji

The kanji 薫, pronounced as 'kun' in on'yomi and 'kaoru' in kun'yomi, primarily means to send forth a fragrance or be scented. It is often used as a noun rather than a verb. One common compound is 薫香 (くんこう), which means incense, capturing that lovely scent associated with burning it. Another is 薫風 (くんぷう), meaning a balmy breeze, evoking the gentle and pleasant feel of a fragrant wind. Additionally, 薫陶 (くんとう) refers to education, highlighting the nurturing aspect of the aroma. A helpful note: 薫 can also be connected with smoke, particularly in the context of tobacco, adding depth to its meaning.

Example sentences

  • 彼の香りが薫ってきた。

    His scent wafted in.

Meanings across languages

English
send forth fragrance, fragrant, be scented, smoke (tobacco)
Tiếng Việt
tỏa hương, hương thơm, được xông, thuốc lá
日本語
薫る, 香ばしい, 匂う, 煙
한국어
향기 나다, 향기로운, 냄새나다, 연기
中文
薰, 芳香, 被熏, 烟
id
menyebar aroma
th
ส่งกลิ่นหอม
es
fragante
fr
parfumé
de
duftend
pt
enviando fragrância

Common compounds

  • 薫香くんこうincense, fragrance
  • 薫陶くんとうeducation, training, discipline
  • 薫風くんぷうbalmy breeze, summer breeze
  • 余薫よくんlingering odor, lingering odour
  • 薫育くんいくmoral influence, moral education
  • 薫染くんせんgood influence
  • 薫煙くんえんfragrant smoke, aromatic smoke
  • 薫化くんかinfluencing people by one's virtue

Want to actually learn this kanji?

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