About this Draft
This page is part of the early access version of The Kanji Speedrun. The essentials—kanji meanings and mnemonics—are already in place and usable, but nearly every part of the page is still being polished. Some entries may contain mistakes, but please rest assured we are working hard to make revisions.
We’re sharing these drafts now so you can keep learning while we polish the full experience. If you notice something off, please don’t hesitate to let me know—it’s a huge help in improving the course!
士
WARRIOR ・ MAN OF LEARNING
Mnemonic
Notice how 士 looks like 土 but with the top line longer. Imagine that longer line as a sword carried by a WARRIOR, or a scroll in the hands of a MAN OF LEARNING. This character came to represent people who serve society through strength or knowledge.
Example Vocabulary
- 武士（ぶし） – warrior, samurai
- 兵士（へいし） – soldier
- 博士（はかせ・はくし） – doctor, learned person
- 士気（しき） – morale, fighting spirit
- 文士（ぶんし） – literary person, writer
Example Sentences
- 武士は名誉を大切にしました。– Samurai warriors valued honor greatly.
- その作家は有名な文士です。– That author is a famous man of letters.