Meaning
The kanji 銅 (dou) means "copper," a reddish-brown metallic element prized for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. It's a crucial material found in wiring, plumbing, and various alloys like bronze and brass. The character itself is a phono-semantic compound. This means it combines a semantic component, which suggests its general category, with a phonetic component that hints at its pronunciation. The left-hand radical, 金 (kanehen), literally translates to "metal" or "gold." This clearly shows that 銅 belongs to the metal category. You'll see this radical in many other kanji related to metals, such as 鉄 (tetsu, iron) and 銀 (gin, silver). The right-hand side, 同 (dou), serves as the phonetic component, contributing the "dou" sound. While 同 can independently mean "same" or "agree," its function here is purely phonetic. Therefore, the visual combination effectively conveys "a metal that sounds like 'dou'," directly leading to its meaning of copper. 銅 has 14 strokes and is taught in the 5th grade of Japanese elementary schools. While it's a relatively early kanji to learn, its frequent use in various contexts makes it important for the JLPT N2 level. For Japanese learners, understanding its components is key given its regular appearance in both technical and everyday vocabulary.
Readings
Like many kanji, 銅 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived readings) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings). Knowing when to use each reading is crucial for accurate communication.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 銅 is ドウ (dō). You'll use this reading when 銅 appears in compound words, especially alongside other kanji of Chinese origin. It consistently features in terms referring to the material itself, as well as objects crafted from it.
銅像 (dōzō) — bronze statue
銅メダル (dōmedaru) — bronze medal
銅線 (dōsen) — copper wire
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi for 銅 is あかがね (akagane). This native Japanese word for copper literally means "red metal," which perfectly describes its distinctive hue. While less common in modern everyday speech compared to its On'yomi, あかがね is primarily used when the kanji appears alone or in specific traditional contexts.
- 赤金 (akagane) — copper (an older, more poetic term)
Common Words & Compounds
Here is a selection of common words and compounds that use the kanji 銅. They are categorized by theme to assist with memorization and contextual understanding.
Materials and Products
銅 (dō) — copper (the element)
銅製 (dōsei) — made of copper, copper-made
銅板 (dōban) — copper plate, copper sheet
銅貨 (dōka) — copper coin
青銅 (seidō) — bronze (literally "green copper")
黄銅 (ōdō) — brass (literally "yellow copper")
Awards and Statues
銅メダル (dōmedaru) — bronze medal
銅像 (dōzō) — bronze statue
Chemistry and Industry
酸化銅 (sankadō) — copper oxide
銅鉱 (dōkō) — copper ore
Figurative Language
- 銅鑼 (dora) — gong (often made of bronze/copper)
Example Sentences
銅は電気をよく通します。
Dō wa denki o yoku tōshimasu.
Copper conducts electricity well.
その仏像は銅でできています。
Sono butsū wa dō de dekiteimasu.
That Buddha statue is made of bronze (copper alloy).
古い神社には銅製の屋根があります。
Furui jinja ni wa dōsei no yane ga arimasu.
Old shrines have copper roofs.
銅線は電線としてよく使われます。
Dōsen wa densen toshite yoku tsukawaremasu.
Copper wire is often used for electrical cables.
日本の十円玉は銅を含んでいます。
Nihon no jūen-dama wa dō o fukundeimasu.
Japanese 10-yen coins contain copper.
彼は競技会で銅メダルを獲得しました。
Kare wa kyōgikai de dōmedaru o kakutoku shimashita.
He won a bronze medal in the competition.
青銅器は古代の文明で重要な役割を果たしました。
Seidōki wa kodai no bunmei de jūyō na yakuwari o hatashimashita.
Bronze ware played an important role in ancient civilizations.
銅は錆びると緑色になります。
Dō wa sabiru to midoriiro ni narimasu.
Copper turns green when it rusts.
銅鍋は熱伝導率が高いので料理に最適です。
Dōnabé wa netsudendōritsu ga takai node ryōri ni saiteki desu.
Copper pots are ideal for cooking due to their high thermal conductivity.
銅山から多量の銅が産出されています。
Dōzan kara taryō no dō ga sanshutsu sareteimasu.
A large amount of copper is produced from the copper mine.
Memory Tip
To remember 銅 (copper), break it down into its components. On the left, you have 金 (kanehen), the radical for "metal" or "gold." This immediately signals that the kanji is related to metals. On the right is 同 (dō), which means "same" or "agree." Here, it serves as the phonetic element, providing the "dou" sound. To visualize this, imagine two pieces of 金 (metal) that are the 同 (same) reddish color, just like copper. Alternatively, picture a skilled metalworker observing two identical (同) pieces of 金 (metal) and realizing they are both copper. You could also think of the 同 component as resembling a coiled wire, much like copper wiring. This combination effectively connects the meaning "metal" with the sound "dou," leading you to "copper."