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Kotomora

肝

liver, pluck, nerve, chutzpah

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • カン

Kun'yomi

  • きも

Meaning

肝 centers on the liver as an organ, and by extension the seat of courage, nerve, or boldness (pluck, chutzpah).

Most common words using 肝

20 of 80
  • 肝きも
    N1

    liver; innards

  • 肝心かんじん
    N2

    essential; important; crucial; vital; main

  • 肝臓かんぞう
    N1

    liver

  • 肝炎かんえん

    hepatitis

  • 度肝どぎも

    guts; pluck; nerve; spirit

  • 肝要かんよう

    extremely important; essential; vital; crucial

  • 肝硬変かんこうへん

    cirrhosis (of the liver)

  • 肝っ玉きもったま

    guts; pluck; nerve; spirit

  • 肝いりきもいり

    good offices; auspices; sponsorship; help; assistance

  • 肝油かんゆ

    fish-liver oil (cod, shark, etc.)

  • A型肝炎エーがたかんえん

    hepatitis A

  • B型肝炎ビーがたかんえん

    hepatitis B

  • C型肝炎シーがたかんえん

    hepatitis C

  • D型肝炎ディーがたかんえん

    hepatitis D

  • E型肝炎イーがたかんえん

    hepatitis E

  • あん肝あんきも

    monkfish liver; goosefish liver

  • アルコール性肝障害アルコールせいかんしょうがい

    alcoholic liver disease

  • ウイルス性肝炎ウイルスせいかんえん

    viral hepatitis

  • 休肝日きゅうかんび

    teetotal day; day off drinking; liver rest day

  • 劇症肝炎げきしょうかんえん

    acute hepatitis

Explore all words using 肝 →

Study

Etymology

肝 combines the flesh radical ⺼ (body part) with 干, which likely provides the sound カン. The character originally referred to the liver.

Meaning mnemonic

The flesh radical ⺼ marks this as a body part, and 干 looks like a shield. Picture the liver as the body's shield, protecting you with its nerve and pluck.

Reading mnemonic

For カン, imagine a can of liver pâté: can -> カン, and the liver inside gives you the courage to try it.