Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of water and small. Water being shallow.
Symbolism
Shallow, shallows, superficial. Represents shallowness.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Water flowing to low ground
Component Breakdown
water + 戋
Words & Expressions
Words written with 浅
Four-Character Compounds
浅学非才
せんがくひさい
one's lack of learning or ability; shallow learning and limited ability
浅酌低唱
せんしゃくていしょう
getting slightly intoxicated and humming a tune
浅学寡聞
せんがくかぶん
shallow learning and limited information; being ignorant and badly informed
皮相浅薄
ひそうせんぱく
shallow and unwise; superficial and thoughtless
Proverbs & Idioms
浅瀬に仇波
あさせにあだなみ
Dangerous waves in shallow water
Danger lurks in unexpected places
Poetry
浅茅生の 小野の篠原 しのぶれど あまりてなどか 人の恋しき
Poem #39 from Hyakunin Isshu
花の雲鐘は上野か浅草か
A cloud of blossom — is that bell Ueno, or Asakusa?
Related Figures & Stories
Other kanji with the same meaning
“wretched”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 浅 mean in Japanese?
浅 means shallow, superficial, frivolous, wretched, shameful.
How do you read 浅?
On'yomi: セン (SEN). Kun'yomi: あさ.い (asai).
How many strokes does 浅 have?
浅 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 水 (water).
Is 浅 a good kanji for a tattoo?
浅 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means shallow, superficial, frivolous, wretched, shameful. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:wretched