Quick answer
央 is the kanji for "Center". Its reading is おう (ou). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Center
Also : Middle
Learn 央 with SRS
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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
5 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 央 represents 'CENTER'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of center.
On-reading: おう — remember this sound by associating it with center.
Example Sentences
東京の中央に位置する公園でピクニックをしました。
とうきょうのちゅうおうにいちするこうえんでぴくにっくをしました。
I had a picnic in a park located in the center of Tokyo.
中央線に乗って新宿へ行きました。
ちゅうおうせんにのってしんじゅくへいきました。
I took the Chuo Line to Shinjuku.
Vocabulary using 央
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 25, 2026
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