Meaning
If you look at a map of Japan, you will see the kanji 県 (read as ken) everywhere. It is the standard term for 'prefecture.' Japan is divided into 47 top-level jurisdictions known as Todofuken. While Tokyo is a To and Hokkaido is a Do, 43 of these regions are officially designated as 県. When you see a name like 神奈川県 (Kanagawa-ken) or 長野県 (Nagano-ken), the suffix indicates it is a large administrative division, similar to a state or province.
Historically, the character was much more complex. The traditional form is 縣, which originally depicted a head hanging from a tree to mark a district's boundary. Modern Japanese has simplified this to just 9 strokes. It now features the 目 (eye) radical at the top. Japanese children learn this character in the 3rd grade. It is an essential character for understanding local geography and civic life.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi for 県 is ケン (ken). This is the only reading you will likely ever need. It functions as a suffix for 43 specific prefectures and as a building block for many administrative terms. Since the concept of a 'prefecture' was a formal legal import, the Chinese-derived reading remains the standard in modern law and social settings.
Examples of on'yomi usage:
- 県立 (kenritsu) — Prefectural-run (e.g., a school or hospital)
- 県内 (kennai) — Within the prefecture
- 県外 (kengai) — Outside the prefecture
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
In everyday Japanese, 県 does not have a native kun'yomi reading. You may find archaic terms like agatanushi in ancient historical texts, but these are never used in modern life. For the JLPT N4 and daily communication, focus entirely on the reading ケン.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 県 is used to form many words related to travel, governance, and public services. You will see these on road signs and in news reports throughout Japan.
Administration and Government:
- 県庁 (kenchō) — Prefectural office or capital headquarters.
- 県知事 (kenchiji) — Prefectural governor.
- 県警 (kenkei) — Prefectural police (e.g., 福岡県警).
- 県営 (ken'ei) — Prefectural management (often seen on public housing or parks).
Geography and Daily Life:
- 県境 (kenzakai) — Prefectural border.
- 県民 (kenmin) — Prefectural residents.
- 県道 (kendō) — A prefectural road (marked with hexagonal blue signs).
- 隣県 (rinken) — The neighboring prefecture.
Public Facilities:
- 県立美術館 (kenritsu bijutsukan) — Prefectural art museum.
- 県立図書館 (kenritsu toshokan) — Prefectural library.
Example Sentences
私は千葉県に住んでいます。
watashi wa Chiba-ken ni sunde imasu.
I live in Chiba Prefecture.
明日は隣の県へ遊びに行きます。
ashita wa tonari no ken e asobi ni ikimasu.
Tomorrow I'm going to the neighboring prefecture for fun.
彼は県立の高校に通っています。
kare wa kenritsu no kōkō ni kayotte imasu.
He attends a prefectural high school.
富士山は静岡県と山梨県の間にあります。
Fujisan wa Shizuoka-ken to Yamanashi-ken no aida ni arimasu.
Mt. Fuji is located between Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.
県庁へ行って、用事を済ませました。
kenchō e itte, yōji o sumasemashita.
I went to the prefectural office to take care of some business.
県境を越えると、言葉のアクセントが変わります。
kenzakai o koeru to, kotoba no akusento ga kawarimasu.
When you cross the prefectural border, the accent of the language changes.
この道は県道なので、とても広いです。
kono michi wa kendō nanode, totemo hiroi desu.
Since this is a prefectural road, it is very wide.
来週、県外から友だちが遊びに来ます。
raishū, kengai kara tomodachi ga asobi ni kimasu.
Next week, a friend from outside the prefecture is coming to visit.
Related Kanji
- 界 — World, Boundary, Circle (Kanji N4)
- 野 — Field, Plain, Wild (Kanji N4)
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
- 思 — To Think, Feel, Imagine (Kanji N4)
- 地 — Ground, Earth, Land (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Think of the top part, 目 (eye), as the watchful eye of the government. The bottom part represents the borders of the land. A prefecture is an area where the government keeps an eye on the regional boundaries. Also, remember that the suffix -ken is used for 43 of the 47 administrative regions, making it the most common way to describe a Japanese 'state.'