化 means “transform, -ize”

か · ka

Also: change, take the form of, influence, enchant

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

ばける, ばかす, ふける, けする

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

カ, ケ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 4 strokes

The story

A person (亻) beside another turned upside down (匕): one form becoming another. 化 is transformation: 文化 culture, 化学 chemistry, and お化け, the shape-shifting ghosts of Japanese folklore.

Used in 文化 (bunka, culture), 化学 (kagaku, chemistry), and お化け (obake, ghost)

More from Time & Change

• 成 become
• 期 period
• 続 continue
• 初 first
• 際 edge
• 次 next
• 昨 yesterday
• 変 change
• 過 pass
• 末 end
• 未 not yet
• 更 renew

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