書く

• Reading: かく
• Romaji: kaku
• Kanji breakdown: 書 (sho/ka) — to write
• Pronunciation: /ka.kɯ/

Meaning

To write; to compose; to pen. The standard verb for all forms of writing.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb with a k-stem. Used for writing by hand, composing texts, and filling in forms. The te-form is 書いて (with い sound change typical of k-stem verbs). Often paired with particle で to indicate the writing instrument (ペンで書く).

Examples

1. 名前をここに書いてください。 Please write your name here.
2. 日本語で手紙を書きました。 I wrote a letter in Japanese.
3. 漢字を書くのは難しいです。 Writing kanji is difficult.

Usage Guide

Context: education, daily life, work

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 書 depicts a hand holding a brush (聿) above a vessel, representing the act of writing or recording.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal