Quick answer
城 is the kanji for "Castle". Its reading is しろ (shiro). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Castle
Also : Fortress · Stronghold
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
9 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 城 represents 'CASTLE'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of castle.
On-reading: じょう — remember this sound by associating it with castle. Kun-reading: しろ.
Example Sentences
大阪城の石垣は、江戸時代に作られたものです。
おおさかじょうのいしがきは、えどじだいにつくられたものです。
The stone walls of Osaka Castle were built in the Edo period.
京都には歴史的な城が多く残っています。
きょうとにはれきしてきなしろがおおくのこっています。
Many historic castles remain in Kyoto.
Vocabulary using 城
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
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