髪 – JLPT N3 Kanji, Kanji for hair of the head | Meaning, Readings & Stroke Order

髪

Strokes: 14

Meanings: hair of the head
Onyomi: ハツ
Kunyomi: かみ
Name Readings: がた, ひげ
JLPT: N3
Grade: 8
Frequency: -
Kanji Writing Practice: Practice

Numbers Radicals Components

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Stroke Order

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Story

The kanji 髪 combines the radical 髟 (hair or long hair) with the component 友 (friend). The left part, 髟, clearly marks the meaning — it relates to hair. The right part, 友, originally served as the phonetic element but also brings a subtle image of closeness or companionship. In ancient cultures, hair was a symbol of identity and social connection — something seen by others and cared for carefully. Thus, 髪 came to represent the physical hair on one’s head, often linked to beauty, youth, and vitality.

Short Story

Made from 髟 (hair) and 友 (friend), 髪 shows the idea of hair — a visible and personal part of oneself, connected to how we appear to others.

Mnemonic

This kanji declares: the hair radical (髟) shows what grows long and soft, while 友 (friend) reminds you that your hair is what the world first sees — your visible companion. Picture running your hand through your hair before meeting a friend; it’s your way of preparing how you’ll be seen. 髪 means hair — the personal thread that connects self, style, and identity.

Vocabulary Examples

Word	Reading	Meaning	Meta
髪	かみ	hair (on the head)	common JLPT-N4 Noun
髪	はつ	(a) hair	Noun
髪の毛	かみのけ	hair (on the head), (a) hair	common JLPT-N3 Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Noun
髪型	かみがた	hair style, coiffure, hairdo	common Noun
髪飾り	かみかざり	hair ornament	Noun
髪結い	かみゆい	hairdresser, hairdressing	Noun
髪を上げる	かみをあげる	to put up one's hair	Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Ichidan verb
髪を梳かす	かみをとかす	to comb (one's hair)	Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Godan verb with 'su' ending
簪	かんざし	ornamental hairpin	Noun
かみのけ座	かみのけざ	Coma Berenices (constellation), the Berenice's Hair	Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Noun

Showing up to 15 entries including the Kanji.

Example Sentences

Example #1

髪を切ったばかりなのに、もう伸びてきた。

かみをきったばかりなのに、もうのびてきた

kami o kitta bakari nanoni, mou nobite kita

I just got a haircut, but my hair has already started growing.

Example #2

朝はいつも髪がボサボサです。

あさはいつもかみがボサボサです

asa wa itsumo kami ga bosabosa desu

My hair is always messy in the morning.

Example #3

髪を乾かさないで寝ると風邪をひくよ。

かみをかわかさないでねるとかぜをひくよ

kami o kawakasanaide neru to kaze o hiku yo

You’ll catch a cold if you sleep without drying your hair.

Example #4

新しい髪型にしたけど、どう思う？

あたらしいかみがたにしたけど、どうおもう

atarashii kamigata ni shita kedo, dou omou?

I changed my hairstyle — what do you think?

Example #5

彼女は髪が長くてとてもきれいです。

かのじょはかみがながくてとてもきれいです

kanojo wa kami ga nagakute totemo kirei desu

She has long and beautiful hair.

Example #6

髪の色を変えたいけど、学校で禁止されています。

かみのいろをかえたいけど、がっこうできんしされています

kami no iro o kaetai kedo, gakkou de kinshi sareteimasu

I want to change my hair color, but it’s forbidden at school.

Example #7

今日は髪がうまくまとまらない。

きょうはかみがうまくまとまらない

kyou wa kami ga umaku matomaranai

My hair just won’t stay in place today.

Example #8

髪を結んでから料理をしてくださいね。

かみをむすんでからりょうりをしてくださいね

kami o musunde kara ryouri o shite kudasai ne

Please tie up your hair before cooking.

Example #9

彼は髪を染めて明るくなった感じがする。

かれはかみをそめてあかるくなったかんじがする

kare wa kami o somete akaruku natta kanji ga suru

He dyed his hair, and he seems brighter now.

Example #10

髪にシャンプーが残ってるよ。

かみにシャンプーがのこってるよ

kami ni shanpuu ga nokotteru yo

You still have some shampoo left in your hair.

Example #11

毎朝髪をとかすのに時間がかかります。

まいあさかみをとかすのにじかんがかかります

maiasa kami o tokasu no ni jikan ga kakarimasu

It takes me time every morning to comb my hair.

Example #12

髪が濡れているからタオルを貸してくれますか？

かみがぬれているからタオルをかしてくれますか

kami ga nureteiru kara taoru o kashite kuremasu ka?

My hair’s wet—can you lend me a towel?

Example #13

美容室で髪を短くしました。

びようしつでかみをみじかくしました

biyoushitsu de kami o mijikaku shimashita

I got my hair cut short at the salon.

Example #14

髪がサラサラでうらやましい！

かみがサラサラでうらやましい

kami ga sarasara de urayamashii

Your hair is so silky — I’m jealous!

Example #15

風で髪がぐちゃぐちゃになった。

かぜでかみがぐちゃぐちゃになった

kaze de kami ga guchagucha ni natta

The wind messed up my hair.

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Kanji Info

Kanji: 髪

JLPT: n3

Strokes: 14

Grade: 8

Unicode: 9AEA

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