This entry of kanji spotlight is dedicated to the universal solvent – water.

Learners of the Japanese language will encounter this word (水) pretty early on. It’s classified as an N5 vocab.  After all, who could live without water? Not me.

Good thing the word is easy to write, with just a total of four strokes, you can express this thirst quenching kanji!

Did you know, these ‘three dots’ actually form the “water” radical?

Yup that’s right. Next time you see this radical, chances are that the kanji is referring to some sort of liquid. Here are three examples.

海. The sea. The seas is basically a large body of water, and naturally you see the “water” radical in the word.

Next… Sweat (汗). That’s water/fluid too.

Finally. Tears 涙. Once again, the “water” radical is there.

That’s all for this episode of kanji spotlight!