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11 strokes
Frequency: 85
JLPT N2
Grade 5

Meanings

present
existing
actual

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
ゲン
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
あらわ.れる
あらわ.す
うつつ
うつ.つ
Nanori — Specialized readings used in names
あきら
きら

Common Words

現われる
表れる
らわれ
顕れる
Intransitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #610
1

to appear; to come in sight; to become visible; to come out; to embody; to materialize; to materialise

Examples
20人の警官が現場に現れた
Twenty police have arrived on the scene.
2

to be expressed (e.g. emotions); to become apparent (e.g. trends, effects)

Examples
その薬の効きめが現れた
The medicine took effect.
んじつ
Noun
Freq #866
1

reality; actuality; hard fact

Examples
いい加減に現実をみつめろ。
Open your eyes to reality.
んざい
見在
Freq #927
1

Common noun; Adverb (fukushi); Nouns which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

the present; present time; now

Examples
私は現在の地位に満足している。
I am content with my current position.
現在、通常のサービスの早急な復旧に努めています。
We are currently working to restore normal service as soon as possible.
2

Noun, used as a suffix; After a time, date, etc.

as of

Examples
与党は5時現在で50議席確保している。
The ruling party has secured 50 seats as of 5 o'clock.
3

Common noun; Grammar

present tense

4

Common noun; Buddhism

this world; this life

5

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Intransitive verb

to actually exist; to exist right now; to exist right in front of one

んば
んじょう
Noun
Freq #1809
1

actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.)

Examples
群衆が現場に群がった。
A crowd gathered at the scene.
2

げんば only

(on) site; (on) the ground; (in) the field; job site

3

げんば only

filming location; (movie) set

ょうげん
Noun
Freq #1994
1

Noun or participle which takes the aux. verb suru; Transitive verb

expression; representation; description

Examples
「潮時というものがある」という表現は実はシェイクスピアの「ジュリアス・シーザー」にある表現である。
"There is a tide" is, in fact, from a passage in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
2

Mathematics

representation (of a group)

んじょう
Noun
~の Adj.
Freq #2186
1

present condition; existing state; status quo; current state

Examples
彼は現状を大いに嘆いた。
He deeply deplored the situation.
つげん
~する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Transitive
Freq #2859
1

implementation (e.g. of a system); materialization; materialisation; realization; realisation; actualization; actualisation

Examples
あなたの夢がみんな実現されますように。
May all your dreams come true!
現す
表わす
現わす
顕す
らわ
Godan verb
Transitive
Freq #2871
1

Esp. 表す, 表わす

to represent; to signify; to stand for

Examples
&のマークはandの文字を表す
The sign "&" stands for "and".
2

Esp. 現す, 現わす

to reveal; to show; to display

Examples
ご自分の栄光を現された
He thus revealed his glory.
3

Esp. 表す, 表わす

to express

Examples
あなたのご親切に対し深く感謝の意を表します
I wish to express my deep appreciation for your kindness.
4

Esp. 顕す

to make widely known

ゅつげん
~する Verb
Noun
Intransitive
Freq #3246
1

appearance; emergence; advent; arrival; showing up; coming to existence

Examples
そうした高層ビルが出現する前は、町の全ての建物が相互に特別な関係を持って建っていたのである。
Before the arrival of this skyscraper, all the buildings in the city stood in special relationship to each other.
んしょう
Noun
Freq #3469
1

phenomenon

Examples
この現象に関してはまだ物理的な説明がなされていない。
There is not a physical explanation for this phenomenon yet.

Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.

present

Constituents

The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.

🧩 ball
human legs
🧩 telescope
jewel
king
eye
see

Mnemonic Stories

A wise advisor told the young prince, ‘A true king doesn’t live in the glories of the past or the dreams of the future. He must see the kingdom as it is in the present.’

For the subjects, the present reality of the kingdom is simply whatever the king chooses to see. If he turns a blind eye to a problem, it ceases to officially exist.

🎓

Master this Kanji through Practice

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