質
substance · quality · matter · temperament
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
斦 + shell
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of two axes and shell. Measuring value.
Symbolism
Quality, essence, question. Represents core of things.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
質疑応答
しつぎおうとう
question and answer session; question and answer session
質実剛健
しつじつごうけん
unaffected and sincere, with fortitude and vigor (vigour); 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; harmony of beauty and substance
体質改善
たいしつかいぜん
improvement of one's constitution; reformation; improvement of one's constitution
質素倹約
しっそけんやく
(practice of) simplicity and frugality; scrimping and saving; (practice of) simplicity and frugality
羊質虎皮
ようしつこひ
sheep in a tiger's skin; gimcrack; showy without real worth; sheep in a tiger's skin
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
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?
Yes. 質 (substance, quality, matter, temperament) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for substance · kanji for quality · kanji for matter