JAPANAN 日本語
Native Speaker Kanji Series
4 strokes
木 (tree)
Core Meaning
tree · wood
き（名）
音読み On-yomi
モク・ボク
- 木曜日もくようびThursday
- 木材もくざいtimber
- 木造もくぞうwooden structure
訓読み Kun-yomi
き
- 木きtree
- 草木くさきplants and trees
- 木の実きのみnuts / fruit of a tree
Etymology — pictographic origin
origin
Memory Hook
木 = a cross with roots. Imagine a tree in winter: the branches go up, the roots go down. モク・ボク both start with the "wood" sound. き — like a key (木) to the forest!
Writing Practice — tap to watch, trace, or quiz yourself
Touch Practice
Tap Watch to see the stroke order, or Practice to write 木 from memory.
Exercises
✦ Reading — write how to read the highlighted kanji
1
木ようびにかいものにいきます。
I will go shopping on Thursday.
2
あの木はおおきいです。
That tree is big.
✦ Writing — write the correct kanji in the blank
3
こののみはおいしいです。
This fruit is delicious.
4
ようびはひまです。
I am free on Thursday.
文化ノート
Cultural Note
神木 — sacred trees
Japan has thousands of sacred trees (神木・しんぼく) at shrines and temples. Many are over 1,000 years old, wrapped in shimenawa rope as dwellings of gods (神様). The oldest known 大木 is a 7,200-year-old cedar (縄文杉) on Yakushima island.
しんぼく · sacred tree
しめなわ · rope
縄文杉 · 7,200yrs
Native Speaker's NoteWhat your textbook won't tell you
①
⚠ 木 vs 本 vs 末 — Add a stroke to 木: a line at the bottom → 本 (book/origin, もと/ホン). A line at the top → 末 (end, すえ/マツ). The extra stroke shows where to focus.木（き）→ 本（ほん）→ 末（すえ）
②
モク vs ボク — モク is more common: 木曜日, 木材. ボク appears in older or religious terms: 土木 (どぼく, civil engineering). In everyday speech, you'll mostly use モク.✓ 木曜日(もくようび) ✓ 土木(どぼく)
③
Trees in Japanese culture — Japan has thousands of sacred trees (神木・しんぼく) at shrines. The famous 大木 (たいぼく, great tree) in ancient forests are symbols of longevity and wisdom.しんぼく · たいぼく · こだち
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N5 Kanji · 木 · Sheet 8 of 11