ChiramiN4 kanji · 14 strokes
説 means explain, theory
説
言 to say · 兄 older brother
説Memory trick
Words (言) from an older brother (兄): an explanation, a theory.
Memory trick: a picture to help you remember the kanji, not its history.
Meaning and readings
- Meanings
- opinion, theory, explanation, rumor
- JLPT level
- N4
- Strokes
- 14
- School grade
- Grade 4 in Japan
Japanese (kunyomi) とく toku
とく (toku) is the Japanese word for this kanji. You use it when the kanji stands alone or has kana after it. Dictionaries call this the kun reading.
From Chinese (onyomi) セツ setsu
セツ (setsu) came from Chinese with the character. You mostly hear it in words made of several kanji. Dictionaries call this the on reading.
Other readings from Chinese: ゼイ zei
Tap a reading to see when it's used. Why kanji have two kinds of reading: onyomi vs kunyomi.
Common word
小説 しょうせつ · shousetsu
novel, story
Built from
Tap a part to see the N5 and N4 kanji that use it.
丷 Used in 140 kanji
See all 17 at N5 and N4Quick check
What does 説 mean?
Right: 説 means explain, theory.Not quite: 説 means explain, theory.In 小説, which reading does 説 use?
Right. 小説 is read しょうせつ (shousetsu): 説 takes セツ, its reading from Chinese.Not quite. 小説 is read しょうせつ (shousetsu): 説 takes セツ, its reading from Chinese.