Quick answer
然 is the kanji for "Sort of thing". Its reading is しか (shika). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Sort of thing
Also : So · Well · If so
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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
12 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 然 represents 'SORT OF THING'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of sort of thing.
On-reading: ぜん — remember this sound by associating it with sort of thing. Kun-reading: しか.
Example Sentences
突然雨が降ってきました。
とつぜんあめがふってきました。
It suddenly started raining.
自然の中でリフレッシュしました。
しぜんのなかでりふれっしゅしました。
I refreshed myself in nature.
Vocabulary using 然
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
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