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A Kanji to tame

THE KANJI · N3 · 9 strokes

祖

Ancestor ; Pioneer ; Founder

Readings on: ソ
Kun readings: —

祖父そふ — Grandpa

Readings depend on the word. In kun readings, the dot separates the kanji from its kana ending (okurigana).

Two-word kanji

Reading belongs to the complete word: it is not always deduced from isolated readings.

祖母そぼ — Grandma Word card → Source
祖父そふ — Grandpa Word card → Source
先祖せんぞ — ancestor Source
祖先そせん — ancestor Source
元祖がんそ — ancestor; founder Source
宗祖しゅうそ — founder of sect Source

Text export

Set up direct addition to Anki

In Anki on your computer, install AnkiConnect (2055492159), then restart Anki and keep it open.
Click “Test connection”, then allow Nihongo no Kuni in Anki’s dialog. If your browser requests local network access, allow it for this site.

AnkiConnect key (only if you configured one)

The .apkg package works without AnkiConnect: download it, then open it in Anki. No column mapping is needed. Cards use the language displayed on the site.

Direct addition works on desktop. On mobile, use the .apkg package.

A little exercise

10 questions about this kanji and its compound words. You need 8 correct answers out of 10 to master it.

Explore quizzes with kanji N3 →

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A Kanji to tame

Ancestor ; Pioneer ; Founder

Two-word kanji

A little exercise

Words with this kanji

Your choice, your pace