Japanese word

文字

Pronunciation

Romajimoji

Meaning

  • nouncharacter, letter

Example

この文字は大きいです。ko no moji wa ō ki i de su

This character is big.

Illustration for 文字 (character)

More examples

英語の文字を一つ書きます。ei go no moji o hito tsu ka ki ma su

I write one English letter.

この本は文字が少ないです。ko no hon wa moji ga suku na i de su

This book contains little text.

Core concept

A written mark carries language in a form that can be seen and read.

Common phrases

  • 文字を書くmoji o ka ku

    write characters

  • 文字を入力するmoji o nyū ryoku su ru

    enter text

  • 文字が読めるmoji ga yo me ru

    be able to read characters

Similar words

字ji: A single written character considered by its shape or form.

Definition in Japanese

言葉や音などを表すために書かれる符号。koto ba ya oto na do o arawa su ta me ni ka ka re ru fu gō

Word origin

The word 文字 (moji) is built from 文 (mon, "writing") and 字 (ji, "written character"); it was formerly pronounced もんじ (monji), which helps explain its present form もじ (moji).

Usage tips

  • The English word character also means a person in a story, but Japanese 文字 (moji) refers to a written sign rather than a fictional person.

Word lists with this word