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Kotomora

士

gentleman, scholar, samurai, samurai radical (no. 33)

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes3

Readings

On'yomi

  • シ

Kun'yomi

  • さむらい

Nanori

  • お
  • ま

Meaning

士 centers on a man of standing and learning: a gentleman, a scholar, or a samurai. The radical sense is the same character used as a component in other kanji.

Most common words using 士

24 of 402
  • 弁護士べんごし
    N4

    lawyer; attorney

  • 同士どうし
    N2

    fellow; mutual; companion; comrade

  • 博士はかせ
    N3

    expert; learned person

  • 博士はくし
    N1

    doctor; PhD; Dr.

  • 戦士せんし

    soldier; combatant; warrior

  • 騎士きし

    (medieval) knight

  • 兵士へいし
    N1

    soldier

  • 紳士しんし
    N1

    gentleman

  • 富士山ふじさん
    N5

    Mount Fuji; Mt. Fuji; Fujiyama; Fuji-san

  • 武士ぶし
    N2

    samurai; warrior

  • 士官しかん

    officer

  • 力士りきし

    sumo wrestler; rikishi

  • 会計士かいけいし
    N2

    accountant

  • 棋士きし

    professional shogi player; professional go player

  • 闘士とうし

    fighter (for); militant; champion (of); boxer

  • 修士しゅうし
    N1

    master's (degree)

  • 剣士けんし

    swordsman; swordswoman; fencer

  • 勇士ゆうし

    brave warrior; hero; brave man

  • 士気しき

    morale (of troops, team, etc.); esprit de corps

  • 税理士ぜいりし
    N1

    tax counsellor; tax counselor; licensed tax accountant

  • 栄養士えいようし

    dietitian; (licensed) nutritionist

  • 学士がくし
    N1

    university graduate; bachelor

  • 代議士だいぎし
    N1

    parliamentarian; member of a congress

  • 国士こくし

    distinguished citizen; patriot

Explore all words using 士 →

Study

Etymology

士 is thought to derive from a pictograph of a ceremonial axe or a standing figure, later associated with a man of rank or learning.

Meaning mnemonic

The shape suggests a person standing upright with arms outstretched, like a gentleman or samurai presenting himself with dignity.

Reading mnemonic

For シ, imagine a gentleman named Shea (シ) who is both a scholar and a samurai: Shea -> シ.