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On'yomi
ジョウ
JOU
Kun'yomi
つね・とこ-
tsune / toko

usual · ordinary · normal · common · regular · continually · always · long-lasting

Details

Strokes11
Frequency#293
Radicalcloth(3)

Stroke Order

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Strokes11

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of esteem and cloth. Esteemed cloth.

Symbolism

Common sense, daily, usual. Represents always.

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

諸行無常

しょぎょうむじょう

all things must pass; all worldly things are impermanent; all things must pass

尋常一様

じんじょういちよう

ordinary; common; mediocre; ordinary

日常茶飯

にちじょうさはん

everyday occurrence; everyday occurrence

無常迅速

むじょうじんそく

the (fast) pace at which life passes, and thus the nearness of death; promptitude of the changes of the times; the (fast) pace at which life passes, and thus the nearness of death

常套手段

じょうとうしゅだん

one's habitual practice; usual measure; old trick; one's habitual practice

常住坐臥

じょうじゅうざが

at all times; day in, day out; constantly; at all times

家常茶飯

かじょうさはん

everyday occurrence; commonplace of life; nothing out of the ordinary; everyday occurrence

常住不断

じょうじゅうふだん

ceaseless; constant; uninterrupted; ceaseless

常住不滅

じょうじゅうふめつ

everlasting; forever unchanging; undying; everlasting

常在戦場

じょうざいせんじょう

always conducting oneself as though one were on a battlefield; being combat ready at all times (of a person); always conducting oneself as though one were on a battlefield

Proverbs & Idioms

日常茶飯事

にちじょうさはんじ

An everyday occurrence

Something that happens routinely

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 常 mean in Japanese?

常 means usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular, continually, always, long-lasting.

How do you read 常?

On'yomi: ジョウ (JOU). Kun'yomi: つね、とこ- (tsune, toko).

How many strokes does 常 have?

常 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 巾 (cloth).

Is 常 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 常 (usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular, continually, always, long-lasting) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for ordinary · kanji for continually · kanji for always