解 means “solve, untie, understand”

とく · toku

Also: unravel, notes, key, explanation

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

とく, とかす, とける, ほどく, ほぐす

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

カイ, ゲ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 13 strokes

The story

A knife (刀) parting the horn (角) from an ox (牛): the original picture of taking something apart. 解く is to solve or untie, 理解 is understanding, and 正解, "correct answer", is the word every Japanese quiz show waits to shout.

Used in 解く (toku, to solve/untie), 理解 (rikai, understanding), and 正解 (seikai, correct answer)

Words with 解

• 正解 (せいかい, seikai): correct answer

More from Thinking & Knowing

• 信 trust
• 確 certain
• 能 ability
• 疑 doubt
• 術 technique
• 想 idea
• 念 thought
• 察 observe
• 識 know
• 覚 remember
• 忘 forget
• 慣 get used to

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

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