足
| Property |
Value |
| Meaning |
foot, leg |
| Strokes |
7 |
| JLPT Level |
N5 |
| On-reading (音読み) |
ソク |
| Kun-reading (訓読み) |
あし、た-りる |
| Radical |
足 (あしへん - ashi-hen) [U+8DB3] |
Stroke Order
The kanji 足 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard top-to-bottom, left-to-right rule.
- Stroke 1: The top vertical line (the "mouth" component top).
- Stroke 2: The top-left corner of the "mouth" (horizontal then vertical).
- Stroke 3: The bottom horizontal line of the "mouth".
- Stroke 4: The vertical line descending from the "mouth".
- Stroke 5: The left-slanting stroke (the "leg" kick).
- Stroke 6: The right-slanting stroke (the "foot" base).
- Stroke 7: The final horizontal stroke at the base.
Radical Analysis
The kanji 足 is its own radical (足部). It depicts a leg and a foot. The top portion (口) represents the knee or the upper leg, while the bottom portion represents the lower leg and the foot planted on the ground. When used as a radical on the left side of other kanji (e.g., 路, 跳), it is called ashi-hen and almost always relates to movement, walking, or parts of the leg.
Mnemonic
Imagine a person standing on one leg. The top 口 is their head, and the bottom strokes are their bent knee and the foot planted firmly on the ground. If you look closely, the shape looks like a person standing with a bent knee, ready to take a step forward.
On-readings (音読み) with Examples
ソク (soku)
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 不足 |
ふそく |
fusoku |
insufficiency |
| 満足 |
まんぞく |
manzoku |
satisfaction |
| 足跡 |
そくせき |
sokuseki |
footprints |
| 二足 |
にそく |
nisoku |
two pairs (of shoes/socks) |
Kun-readings (訓読み) with Examples
あし (ashi)
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 右足 |
みぎあし |
migiashi |
right foot |
| 足元 |
あしもと |
ashimoto |
at one's feet |
た-りる (ta-riru)
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 足りる |
たりる |
tariru |
to be sufficient |
| 足りない |
たりない |
tarinai |
to be lacking |
JLPT N5 Words Using 足
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
JLPT |
| 足 |
あし |
ashi |
foot/leg |
N5 |
| 足りる |
たりる |
tariru |
to be enough |
N5 |
| 右足 |
みぎあし |
migiashi |
right foot |
N5 |
| 左足 |
ひだりあし |
hidariashi |
left foot |
N5 |
| 足元 |
あしもと |
ashimoto |
at one's feet |
N4 |
| 不足 |
ふそく |
fusoku |
lack/shortage |
N4 |
| 満足 |
まんぞく |
manzoku |
satisfaction |
N4 |
| 遠足 |
えんそく |
ensoku |
excursion/trip |
N4 |
| 足す |
たす |
tasu |
to add |
N4 |
| 足首 |
あしくび |
ashikubi |
ankle |
N3 |
Example Sentences
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 足が痛いです。 |
あしがいたいです。 |
Ashi ga itai desu. |
My foot/leg hurts. |
| お金が足りません。 |
おかねがたりません。 |
Okane ga tarimasen. |
I don't have enough money. |
| 彼は満足しています。 |
かれはまんぞくしています。 |
Kare wa manzoku shite imasu. |
He is satisfied. |
| 足元に気をつけて。 |
あしもとにきをつけて。 |
Ashimoto ni ki o tsukete. |
Watch your step. |
| 睡眠が不足しています。 |
すいみんがふそくしています。 |
Suimin ga fusoku shite imasu. |
I am sleep-deprived. |
| 明日は遠足です。 |
あしたはえんそくです。 |
Ashita wa ensoku desu. |
Tomorrow is a field trip. |
Common Confusion Pairs
| Kanji |
Reading |
Meaning |
How to distinguish |
| 足 |
あし |
foot/leg |
Has a distinct "mouth" (口) at the top. |
| 定 |
さだ-める |
fix/decide |
The top is 宀 (roof), not 口. |
| 是 |
これ |
this/correct |
The bottom is 正, not the leg-kick shape. |
Usage Frequency Note
足 is a high-frequency kanji used daily in both formal and informal contexts. It is essential for describing physical movement, body parts, and abstract concepts like "sufficiency" (足る) or "satisfaction" (満足). You will encounter it frequently in news, casual conversation, and signage.