識 means “know, discern, knowledge”

しき · shiki

Also: discriminating, write

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

しる, しるす

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

シキ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 19 strokes

The story

Words (言), a sound (音) and a halberd (戈): picture a mind that cuts everything it hears into what it truly knows. 識 sits in 知識 knowledge, 意識 consciousness, and 常識, the common sense everyone expects you to have.

Used in 知識 (chishiki, knowledge), 常識 (joushiki, common sense), and 意識 (ishiki, consciousness)

Words with 識

• 知識 (ちしき, chishiki): knowledge

More from Thinking & Knowing

• 覚 remember
• 忘 forget
• 慣 get used to
• 才 talent
• 実 reality
• 解 solve
• 信 trust
• 確 certain
• 能 ability
• 疑 doubt
• 術 technique
• 想 idea

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