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菜
On'yomi
サイ
SAI
Kun'yomi
な
na
vegetable · side dish · greens
Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes11
Component Breakdown
菜=
艹采
grass + 采
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of grass and pick. Vegetables to be picked.
Symbolism
Vegetables, side dish, vegetarian. Represents healthy eating.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一汁一菜
いちじゅういっさい
one-plate meal; simple meal; austerity diet; one-plate meal
青菜に塩
あおなにしお
Salt on greens; Looking wilted and dispirited
Poetry
和歌（百人一首） (Waka (Hyakunin Isshu))
君がため 春の野に出でて 若菜つむ わが衣手に 雪はふりつつ
Poem #15 from Hyakunin Isshu
光孝天皇Emperor Kōkō
9th centuryFrequently Asked Questions
What does 菜 mean in Japanese?
菜 means vegetable, side dish, greens.
How do you read 菜?
On'yomi: サイ (SAI). Kun'yomi: な (na).
How many strokes does 菜 have?
菜 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 艸 (grass).
Is 菜 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 菜 (vegetable, side dish, greens) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.