Japanese Kanji

ken

alkaline · alkali · lye

Extended kanji · 24 strokes

Readings

  • ONケンken
  • ONカンkan
  • ONセンsen
  • KUNあ.くa

Meaning

Alkaline, alkali, lye, salt.

鹼 is a Extended kanji — used in Japanese names and specialised writing. With 24 strokes, it appears in classical literature, place names, and formal documents.

Learn to read Japanese

Start with hiragana and katakana — the foundation of Japanese reading.