16
化
Change, Transform
ばける (bakeru), ばかす (bakasu)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
化 appears in many everyday words such as 文化 (culture), 変化 (change), and 化学 (chemistry), making it one of the most useful kanji for understanding abstract concepts.
Memory Trick
Imagine a person (亻) magically changing into something else. 化 literally represents transformation.
Readings
Onyomi: カ (ka), ケ (ke)
Kunyomi: ばける (bakeru), ばかす (bakasu)
Example Words
文化
ぶんか (bunka)
Culture
変化
へんか (henka)
Change
化学
かがく (kagaku)
Chemistry
消化
しょうか (shouka)
Digestion
Example Sentence
町は大きく変化しました。
まち は おおきく へんか しました。
machi wa ookiku henka shimashita
The town changed greatly.