Kanji meanings › Smile
Kanji for Smile
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “smile”: 笑、莞. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
smile
A smile and laughter; the Japanese saying goes, “fortune comes to a smiling home.”
10 strokes On reading ショウ (shou) Kun reading わらう、えむ (warau, emu) JLPT N2
Dictionary meanings: laugh
Readings used for names on Nazuke: e, emi, emu, shou
In Japan it appears in about 431 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 笑: Emilia 笑里愛 · Emilio 笑里緒 · Emerald 笑玲瑠道 · Emiliano 笑里愛野
smile
A gentle smile.
10 strokes On reading カン (kan) Kun reading い (i) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: smiling, reed used to cover tatami
Readings used for names on Nazuke: kan
Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
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