Quick answer
船 is the kanji for "Ship". It is a JLPT N3 kanji. The main reading is ふね (fune). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Ship
Also : Boat
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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
11 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 船 represents 'SHIP'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of ship.
On-reading: せん — remember this sound by associating it with ship. Kun-reading: ふね.
Example Sentences
大きな船が港を出港しました。
おおきなふねがみなとをしゅっこうしました。
A big ship departed from the harbor.
船で沖縄へ行きました。
ふねでおきなわへいきました。
I went to Okinawa by boat.
Vocabulary using 船
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 Jun 18, 2026
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