Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
臤 + shell
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of hard and shell. Wise like hard shell.
Symbolism
Wise, sage, wisdom. Represents wisdom.
Spiritual Meaning
The ideal personality combining wisdom and virtue. In Confucianism, a "wise person" ranks below a sage but guides people through practical wisdom.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
良妻賢母
りょうさいけんぼ
good wife and wise mother; good wife and wise mother
竹林七賢
ちくりんのしちけん
Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove; group of 3rd-century Qingtan scholars, writers, and musicians; Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove
賢良方正
けんりょうほうせい
wise and virtuous; good and able men; wise and virtuous
Proverbs & Idioms
賢しらの愚
さかしらのぐ
The folly of the clever
Being too clever for your own good
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 賢 mean in Japanese?
賢 means intelligent, wise, wisdom, cleverness.
How do you read 賢?
On'yomi: ケン (KEN). Kun'yomi: かしこ.い (kashikoi).
How many strokes does 賢 have?
賢 has 16 strokes. Its radical is 貝 (shell).
Is 賢 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 賢 (intelligent, wise, wisdom, cleverness) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
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