素 means “element, plain, raw”

そ · so

Also: elementary, principle, naked, uncovered

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

もと

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ソ, ス

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 5 · 10 strokes

The story

Threads (糸) hanging under a frame: 素 once meant plain, undyed silk. That plainness runs through its words: 素材 is raw material, 素直 frank and honest, and many elements end in it: 水素 hydrogen, 酸素 oxygen, 炭素 carbon.

Used in 酸素 (sanso, oxygen), 要素 (youso, element/factor), and 素直 (sunao, honest/obedient)

More from Atoms & Acids

• 析 analyze
• 酸 acid
• 粘 sticky
• 鉛 lead (metal)
• 凝 congeal
• 窒 block
• 硫 sulfur
• 硝 saltpeter
• 核 nucleus

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