Quick answer
炭 is the kanji for "Charcoal". It is a JLPT N2 kanji. The main reading is すみ (sumi). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Charcoal
Also : Coal
Learn 炭 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
9 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 炭 represents 'CHARCOAL'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of charcoal.
On-reading: たん — remember this sound by associating it with charcoal. Kun-reading: すみ.
Example Sentences
バーベキューでは炭火で肉を焼くのが一番おいしいです。
ばーべきゅーではすみびでにくをやくのがいちばんおいしいです。
At a barbecue, grilling meat over charcoal fire is the most delicious.
石炭から石油へのエネルギー転換が、産業革命を加速させました。
せきたんからせきゆへのえねるぎーてんかんが、さんぎょうかくめいをかそくさせました。
The energy transition from coal to oil accelerated the Industrial Revolution.
Vocabulary using 炭
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 4, 2026
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