Meaning
The kanji 池 represents a body of still water, typically smaller than a lake. It combines the water radical on the left (氵, sanzui) with the component 也 on the right. Historically, 也 represented a funnel or a vessel capable of holding liquid. Together, these elements paint a clear picture: water held within a defined container or boundary.
Outside of nature, this kanji takes on a clever metaphorical role. In technical terms, it describes storage units for energy. The word for battery, 電池 (denchi), literally means an "electric pond." This image helps you visualize electricity being "stored" in a pool until it is needed. Whether you are admiring a nishikigoi (carp) swimming in a garden pond or checking the battery life on your phone, you will encounter this character frequently.
Learners should distinguish 池 from its neighbors 湖 (mizuumi - lake) and 沼 (numa - marsh). While a lake is large and deep, an 池 is often man-made or part of a landscaped garden, symbolizing peace and the flow of nature.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi is チ (chi). You will mostly hear this reading in compound words (jukugo) related to infrastructure, science, or formal geography.
電池 (denchi) — battery
貯水池 (chosuichi) — reservoir / water storage basin
池畔 (chihan) — pond side / edge of a pond
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The native reading is いけ (ike). Use this when the kanji stands alone as a noun or appears in family names like Koike (Small Pond). It is a word steeped in Japanese aesthetics, often appearing in classical literature.
池 (ike) — pond
古池 (furuike) — old pond
池底 (ikezoko) — bottom of the pond
Common Words & Compounds
From agriculture to smartphone technology, 池 is a versatile character. Here are the most useful terms for daily life and the JLPT N4 exam.
Nature and Landscape
池 (ike) — A pond. This is the standard noun used for anything from a neighborhood pond to an ornamental garden feature.
溜池 (tameike) — An irrigation pond. Farmers use these to catch and store rainwater for crops.
養魚池 (yougyochi) — A fish farm or breeding pond, common in rural Japan for raising trout or carp.
Energy and Gadgets
電池 (denchi) — Battery. This is the most common N4-level compound using this kanji.
乾電池 (kandenchi) — Dry cell battery. These are your standard AA or AAA disposable batteries.
充電池 (juudenchi) — Rechargeable battery. Literally, a "refilling electric pond."
太陽電池 (taiyou denchi) — Solar cell/battery. Power harvested from the sun.
Example Sentences
公園の池でカモが泳いでいます。
kouen no ike de kamo ga oyoide imasu.
Ducks are swimming in the park's pond.
マウスの電池が切れてしまいました。
mausu no denchi ga kirete shimaimashita.
My computer mouse battery has run out.
古池やかわず飛びこむ水の音。
furuike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto.
The old pond, a frog jumps in: the sound of water. (Famous haiku by Basho)
この池にはきれいな錦鯉がいます。
kono ike ni wa kireina nishikigoi ga imasu.
There are beautiful multi-colored carp in this pond.
キャンプに予備の乾電池を持っていきます。
kyanpu ni yobi no kandenchi wo motte ikimasu.
I will take spare batteries with me to the camping trip.
Related Kanji
- 田 — Rice Field (Kanji N4)
- 地 — Ground, Earth, Land (Kanji N4)
- 春 — Spring (Kanji N4)
- 菜 — Vegetable, Greens, Dish (Kanji N4)
- 暑 — Hot (Weather), Heat (Kanji N4)
- 物 — Thing, Object, Matter (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Look at the left side: 氵 (water). Look at the right side: 也. Imagine the right side is a wide, shallow bowl or container. Water + Bowl = Pond. To remember the connection to batteries, think of a battery as a small, metallic "pond" where electricity sits waiting for you to use it.