Meaning
At its core, 勧 is about encouraging, recommending, or advising — steering someone toward a decision through words, goodwill, or authority, without applying force. A doctor telling a patient to rest, a friend insisting you watch a particular film, a government body issuing a formal advisory: each of these falls under 勧. The speaker has a clear destination in mind for the listener — and chooses to act on it.
The traditional form of this kanji is 勸, built from two components: 雚 (a phonetic element read カン, representing a type of heron known for its persistent calling) and 力 (chikara — power, force, effort). The image evokes channeling energy and will into persuasion, much like a bird calling out until someone responds. The modern Japanese simplified form 勧 compresses the left component while retaining 力 on the right, preserving both pronunciation and meaning.
This kanji has 13 strokes and is a Grade 8 kanji in the Jōyō kanji list, introduced at the secondary school level in Japan. It is required knowledge for the JLPT N1 examination. The radical is 力 (ちから — power, strength), hinting at the energetic, intentional nature of encouragement. In classical and modern Japanese alike, 勧 covers a wide range — from casual daily recommendations to formal government advisories and the moral instruction themes woven through historical literature.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 勧 is カン (kan). Derived from the classical Chinese pronunciation of the traditional character 勸, this reading appears primarily in formal compound words (熟語, jukugo). You will encounter カン most often in official documents, news reports, academic writing, and historical texts. Standalone use is rare; it almost always appears as part of a compound.
Key compounds using the カン on'yomi reading:
- 勧告 (kankoku) — official recommendation or advisory; used when an authority formally advises an individual or organization to take specific action, such as a government recommendation to a company
- 勧誘 (kan'yū) — solicitation, canvassing, active invitation; the act of approaching someone to encourage them to join a group, purchase a product, or participate in an activity
- 勧奨 (kanshō) — formal encouragement or commendation; recommending an action in an official or ceremonial capacity, such as recommending employees for a prize or commending a behavior
- 勧善懲悪 (kanzen chōaku) — the principle of rewarding good and punishing evil; a classic moral and literary theme found throughout Japanese folklore, kabuki theater, and period dramas
- 勧進 (kanjin) — solicitation of donations or contributions, historically for the construction or repair of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading of 勧 is すす.める (susumeru). This is the native Japanese verb reading, used when the kanji appears independently or in verb form. It means "to recommend," "to advise," or "to encourage someone to do something" — and it is one of the most frequently encountered readings in everyday conversation.
Three verbs share the reading すすめる but use different kanji — each with its own nuance:
- 勧める (susumeru) — to recommend or encourage with the nuance of persuasion; urging someone toward an action
- 進める (susumeru) — to advance, to move forward, to proceed with something; focuses on progress
- 薦める (susumeru) — to recommend or nominate a person or thing; often used in professional or formal nomination contexts
勧める specifically emphasizes encouraging or persuading — it carries an interpersonal, advisory quality. The honorific お勧め (osusume) turns up everywhere: restaurant menus, shop windows, and product pages across Japan use it as the standard phrase for "the recommended choice."
Common Words & Compounds
勧 appears across a wide range of registers — from restaurant specials to government advisories to kabuki plot lines. The key compounds, grouped by theme:
Official Advisory and Recommendation:
- 勧告 (kankoku) — advisory, official recommendation; frequently used in political, legal, and medical contexts
- 勧奨 (kanshō) — encouragement, commendation; formal recognition of a good action or recommendation for an award
- 勧学 (kangaku) — encouragement of learning; promoting education or scholarship, as in historical titles like 勧学院
Solicitation and Invitation:
- 勧誘 (kan'yū) — solicitation, canvassing, recruitment; actively inviting or urging someone to participate
- 勧進 (kanjin) — fundraising solicitation, especially for religious building projects; historically important in Japanese Buddhism
- 勧請 (kanjō) — invitation of a deity to a new shrine; also used to mean earnest entreaty in classical literature
Promotion of Industry and Agriculture:
- 勧業 (kangyō) — promotion of industry; a term from the Meiji era for government-led efforts to develop commerce and manufacturing
- 勧農 (kannō) — encouragement of agriculture; promoting farming as a national priority, historically used by feudal governments
Moral and Literary Themes:
- 勧善懲悪 (kanzen chōaku) — rewarding good and punishing evil; a defining theme of Japanese period dramas, fairy tales, and kabuki
Everyday Expressions:
- 勧める (susumeru) — to recommend, to advise, to urge someone
- お勧め (osusume) — a recommendation; "today's special recommendation," seen on menus and in shops everywhere in Japan
Example Sentences
医者は彼女に手術を勧めた。
Isha wa kanojo ni shujutsu wo susumeta.
The doctor recommended surgery to her.
このレストランの本日のお勧めは何ですか？
Kono resutoran no honjitsu no osusume wa nan desu ka?
What do you recommend today?
政府は企業に環境保護の強化を勧告した。
Seifu wa kigyō ni kankyō hogo no kyōka wo kankoku shita.
The government issued an advisory urging companies to strengthen their environmental protection measures.
友達にこの本を強く勧めたが、彼女は興味がないと言った。
Tomodachi ni kono hon wo tsuyoku susumeta ga, kanojo wa kyōmi ga nai to itta.
I pushed this book on my friend, but she said she wasn't interested.
その保険会社からの勧誘の電話が毎日来て困っている。
Sono hoken gaisha kara no kan'yū no denwa ga mainichi kite komatteiru.
Those daily solicitation calls from that insurance company are driving me crazy.
先生は生徒たちに積極的な読書を勧奨した。
Sensei wa seito tachi ni sekkyokuteki na dokusho wo kanshō shita.
The teacher formally encouraged the students to read actively.
その時代劇は勧善懲悪のテーマを描いた作品だ。
Sono jidaigeki wa kanzen chōaku no tēma wo egaita sakuhin da.
That period drama is built around the classic theme of rewarding good and punishing evil.
同僚に転職を勧めたが、彼はまだ迷っているようだ。
Dōryō ni tenshoku wo susumeta ga, kare wa mada mayotteiru yō da.
I suggested my colleague look for a new job, but he's still on the fence.
国連はその国に即時停戦を強く勧告した。
Kokuren wa sono kuni ni sokuji teisen wo tsuyoku kankoku shita.
The United Nations strongly urged that country to implement an immediate ceasefire.
健康のために、担当医から禁煙を勧められた。
Kenkō no tame ni, tantō-i kara kin'en wo susumerareta.
My doctor advised me to quit smoking for my health.
Memory Tip
To remember 勧, focus on the right side of the kanji: 力 (ちから), which means "power" or "force." Picture a wise mentor channeling their energy and conviction — not to command, but to gently push someone toward a better path. They lean forward and say: "I use my POWER (力) to RECOMMEND this to you."
The left component — a compressed form of the traditional element 雚 — pictures a tall heron calling out without pause. Think of a trusted advisor who keeps raising their voice not from authority, but because they genuinely believe in what they're saying. A heron calling out with force and conviction — that is 勧, the kanji of earnest encouragement.