Quick answer
河 is the kanji for "River". The most common reading is かわ (kawa). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
River
Also : Stream
Learn 河 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
8 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 河 represents 'RIVER'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of river.
On-reading: か — remember this sound by associating it with river. Kun-reading: かわ.
Example Sentences
大きな河の側に住んでいると、洪水のリスクがあります。
おおきなかわのそばにすんでいると、こうずいのりすくがあります。
Living beside a large river, there's a risk of flooding.
黄河は中国を流れる有名な河です。
こうがはちゅうごくをながれるゆうめいなかわです。
The Yellow River is a famous river that flows through China.
Vocabulary using 河
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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