質
substance · quality · matter · temperament
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of two axes and shell. Measuring value.
Symbolism
Quality, essence, question. Represents core of things.
Component Breakdown
斦 + shell
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
質疑応答
しつぎおうとう
question and answer session
質実剛健
しつじつごうけん
unaffected and sincere, with fortitude and vigor (vigour)
文質彬彬
ぶんしつひんぴん
harmony of beauty and substance; (perfect) balance of looks and character; harmony of refinement and simplicity
体質改善
たいしつかいぜん
improvement of one's constitution; reformation
質素倹約
しっそけんやく
(practice of) simplicity and frugality; scrimping and saving
羊質虎皮
ようしつこひ
sheep in a tiger's skin; gimcrack; showy without real worth
Proverbs & Idioms
質は量に勝る
しつはりょうにまさる
Quality beats quantity
What matters is how good, not how much
Other kanji with the same meaning
“substance”
“quality”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 質 mean in Japanese?
質 means substance, quality, matter, temperament.
How do you read 質?
On'yomi: シツ、シチ、チ (SHITSU, SHICHI, CHI). Kun'yomi: たち、ただ.す、もと、わりふ (tachi, tadasu, moto, warifu).
How many strokes does 質 have?
質 has 15 strokes. Its radical is 貝 (shell).
Is 質 a good kanji for a tattoo?
質 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means substance, quality, matter, temperament. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.