Meaning
満 expresses fullness in the most complete sense — a container filled to the brim, a requirement fully met, a feeling of deep contentment. From this central idea of completeness, the kanji branches into abstract territory: being satisfied with an outcome, fulfilling a condition, or reaching a sufficient quantity.
Structurally, 満 combines the 氵(sanzui) radical on the left — representing water — with a complex phonetic-semantic element on the right. Water filling a vessel to capacity is a fitting image: it spreads into every corner, leaves no gap, and stops only when there is nowhere left to go. That is exactly what 満 conveys.
With 12 strokes, 満 is taught as a Grade 4 kanji in Japanese elementary school, typically around age 9–10. At JLPT N3, learners are expected to recognize it in compound words and understand its role in expressing capacity, satisfaction, and fulfillment. For Chinese speakers, this kanji is immediately familiar: traditional Chinese uses 滿, simplified Chinese uses 满, and all three share the same meaning and near-identical form.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
By far the more productive reading at N3 level is マン (MAN), which appears in the vast majority of compound words. It originates from the Middle Chinese pronunciation. A second on'yomi, バン (BAN), is rare and found only in a handful of classical or specialized terms.
- 満足 (manzoku) — satisfaction, contentment. Example: 仕事の結果に満足した。(Shigoto no kekka ni manzoku shita.) — I was satisfied with the result of my work.
- 満員 (man'in) — full capacity, no vacancies. Used for trains, theaters, or any venue filled to maximum occupancy.
- 満月 (mangetsu) — full moon. The moon that has completely filled its visible face with light.
- 満点 (manten) — perfect score, full marks. Used in academic and testing contexts.
- 満開 (mankai) — in full bloom. Famously used to describe cherry blossoms at their peak.
- 不満 (fuman) — dissatisfaction, discontent. The prefix 不 negates 満, flipping it to its opposite.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings are み(ちる) (michiru) and み(たす) (mitasu). These native Japanese verbs capture the dynamic, active side of fullness — either something becoming full on its own (intransitive: みちる) or someone actively filling something (transitive: みたす).
- 満ちる (michiru) — to become full, to be filled (intransitive). Used when the moon becomes full, when time runs out, or when a feeling swells inside you.
- 満たす (mitasu) — to fill, to fulfill, to satisfy (transitive). Used when meeting conditions, filling a glass, or satisfying a requirement.
- 満ち潮 (michishio) — high tide, when the sea is full.
Common Words & Compounds
満 pairs with a wide range of kanji, each pairing shifting its nuance slightly. Here are the most useful groupings:
Satisfaction & Emotion
- 満足 (manzoku) — satisfaction, contentment
- 不満 (fuman) — dissatisfaction, complaint
- 満喫 (mankitsu) — to fully enjoy, to have one's fill of
- 円満 (enman) — harmonious, smooth, amicable
Capacity & Space
- 満員 (man'in) — fully packed, no vacancy
- 満席 (manseki) — all seats occupied
- 満場 (manjō) — the whole house, all those present
- 充満 (jūman) — filled with, suffused with (e.g., a gas-filled room)
Nature & Time
- 満月 (mangetsu) — full moon
- 満開 (mankai) — full bloom
- 満潮 (manchō) — high tide
- 満期 (manki) — expiration date, maturity (of a contract or term)
Achievement & Score
- 満点 (manten) — perfect score
- 満塁 (manrui) — bases loaded (baseball)
- 豊満 (hōman) — abundant, plentiful, voluptuous
Example Sentences
この映画は満足できる内容だった。
Kono eiga wa manzoku dekiru naiyō datta.
This movie had a satisfying storyline.
電車は満員で乗れなかった。
Densha wa man'in de norenakatta.
The train was packed and I couldn't get on.
きれいな満月が空に輝いていた。
Kirei na mangetsu ga sora ni kagayaite ita.
A beautiful full moon was shining in the sky.
桜が満開になったので、花見に行こう。
Sakura ga mankai ni natta node, hanami ni ikō.
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, so let's go flower-viewing.
彼女はテストで満点を取った。
Kanojo wa tesuto de manten wo totta.
She got a perfect score on the test.
仕事に不満を感じている人が多い。
Shigoto ni fuman wo kanjite iru hito ga ōi.
Many people feel dissatisfied with their work.
条件を満たさないと申し込めません。
Jōken wo mitasanai to mōshikome masen.
You cannot apply if you do not meet the conditions.
海が満ちてきたので、砂浜が狭くなった。
Umi ga michite kita node, sunahama ga semaku natta.
The tide came in, so the beach became narrow.
彼は夏休みを満喫しているようだ。
Kare wa natsuyasumi wo mankitsu shite iru yō da.
He seems to be thoroughly enjoying his summer vacation.
この部屋には煙が充満していた。
Kono heya ni wa kemuri ga jūman shite ita.
This room was filled with smoke.
Memory Tip
Picture a water vessel filled to the absolute brim — not a single drop more will fit. The left side of 満 is the water radical 氵, and the right side resembles a complex structure being pressed from all sides. Together, they paint the image of water pushing against every wall of its container, perfectly full. When you see 満, think: "This cup runneth over."
You can also anchor it through the word 満足 (まんぞく). Here, 満 means full and 足 means sufficient or enough — the same 足 that appears in 足りる (tariru, to be sufficient). Put them together: fully sufficient = satisfaction. Finally, link it to the full moon 満月: the moon completely filled with light, round and whole. That is 満.