現 means “appear, present, actual”

げん · gen

Also: existing

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

あらわれる, あらわす, うつつ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ゲン

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 11 strokes

The story

Jade (王, the jewel radical) catching the eye (見): picture a gem flashing into view. 現れる is to appear, 現在 is the present moment, and 現金, cash, is what many small Japanese shops still prefer.

Used in 現在 (genzai, the present), 現金 (genkin, cash), and 表現 (hyougen, expression)

More from Spirit & Being

• 在 be located
• 容 contain
• 状 condition
• 神 god
• 福 fortune
• 存 exist
• 精 refined
• 絶 cut off
• 願 wish

Learn 現 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.