士 means “warrior, gentleman, professional”

し · shi

Also: scholar, samurai, samurai radical (no. 33)

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): さむらい
On'yomi (Chinese reading): シ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 5 · 3 strokes

The story

A cross (十) standing on a short base (一): unlike earth (土), the top stroke here is the long one. 士 was a man of rank, the samurai of 武士 and 武士道; today it ends the titles of many professions, from 弁護士, lawyer, to 消防士, firefighter.

Used in 武士 (bushi, samurai/warrior), 弁護士 (bengoshi, lawyer), and 紳士 (shinshi, gentleman)

士 means “warrior, gentleman, professional”

The story

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