Hello, I’m Kodak.
When you begin reading Japanese, you quickly notice words that combine a kanji with hiragana:
書く
高い
明るい
Okurigana forms part of the word’s normal spelling and helps show its reading, grammatical ending, and relationship to other forms.
Okurigana (送り仮名) is kana written after a kanji or kanji stem as part of the word itself.
In 食べる, べる is okurigana.
In 書く, く is okurigana.
In 高かった, かった is okurigana.
Okurigana helps readers identify the word and see how verbs and adjectives change form.
- 1 What Does Okurigana Mean?
- 2 What Does Okurigana Do?
- 3 Where Does Okurigana Begin?
- 4 The Basic Okurigana Rules for Beginners
- 4.1 Rule 1: Conjugating Words Usually Send the Inflectional Ending
- 4.2 Rule 1 Exceptions: Some Words Send More Kana
- 4.3 Rule 2: Related Words Influence Where Okurigana Begins
- 4.4 Rule 3: Ordinary Nouns Usually Have No Okurigana
- 4.5 Rule 3 Exceptions: Some Nouns End in Kana
- 4.6 Rule 4: Nouns Derived from Verbs Often Keep Their Okurigana
- 4.7 Rule 5: Adverbs, Adnominals, and Conjunctions Often Send the Final Syllable
- 4.8 Rule 6: Compounds Usually Preserve the Okurigana of Their Parts
- 4.9 Rule 7: Some Established Compound Nouns Omit Okurigana
- 5 Are 申し込み, 申込み, and 申込 All Correct?
- 6 What Do “Main Rule,” “Exception,” and “Permitted Form” Mean?
- 7 Okurigana vs Furigana: What Is the Difference?
- 8 Okurigana vs Hiragana: What Is the Difference?
- 9 Is Okurigana Always Hiragana?
- 10 How Okurigana Helps with Japanese Conjugation
- 11 Can Okurigana Change the Meaning?
- 12 A Beginner-Friendly Way to Choose Okurigana
- 13 Common Okurigana Mistakes
- 13.1 Mistake 1: Sending Too Little Kana
- 13.2 Mistake 2: Sending Too Much Kana
- 13.3 Mistake 3: Confusing a Particle with Okurigana
- 13.4 Mistake 4: Confusing Furigana with Okurigana
- 13.5 Mistake 5: Assuming the Shortest Spelling Is Always More Formal
- 13.6 Mistake 6: Treating Official Guidance as a Universal Law for Every Name and Field
- 14 Natural Example Sentences with Okurigana
- 15 A Brief History of Modern Okurigana Rules
- 16 How Should Japanese Learners Study Okurigana?
- 17 FAQ About Okurigana
- 17.1 What does okurigana mean?
- 17.2 What is an example of okurigana?
- 17.3 Why does Japanese use okurigana?
- 17.4 Is every hiragana after kanji okurigana?
- 17.5 What is the difference between okurigana and furigana?
- 17.6 What is the difference between okurigana and hiragana?
- 17.7 Is okurigana always hiragana?
- 17.8 Why is 食べる not written 食る?
- 17.9 Are 申し込み and 申込 both correct?
- 17.10 Can a word have more than one permitted okurigana spelling?
- 17.11 Do native Japanese speakers make okurigana mistakes?
- 17.12 Who decides Japanese okurigana rules?
- 18 Summary: Okurigana Meaning and Rules
- 19 Related Articles
- 20 References
What Does Okurigana Mean?
Hiragana: おくりがな
Romaji: okurigana
Meaning: kana written after kanji as part of a word’s spelling
The word can be divided into:
from 送る (okuru), “to send” or “to add after”
仮名 (kana)
Japanese phonetic characters, especially hiragana and katakana
The core image is that kana is “sent after” a kanji.
The kana must belong to the same word and help complete its reading or grammatical form. A particle, separate word, prefix, or suffix is not automatically okurigana just because it follows a kanji.
食 + べる
べる is okurigana because it is part of the verb.
本を読む
本 + を + 読む
を is a particle, not okurigana.
お兄さん
お + 兄 + さん
お is a prefix and さん is a suffix; neither is okurigana here.
What Does Okurigana Do?
1. It Shows How a Word Changes
Japanese verbs and adjectives conjugate. Their kana endings change while the kanji stem often stays visible.
書かない — not write
書きます — write, polite
書いた — wrote
書けば — if someone writes
書こう — let’s write / will write
The kanji 書 keeps the main idea “write” visible, while the okurigana shows the grammar.
2. It Helps Identify the Correct Reading
The same kanji may appear in several related words. Different okurigana helps tell the reader which word is intended.
上げる (ageru) — to raise something
上る (noboru) — to go up; ascend
生きる (ikiru) — to live
生まれる (umareru) — to be born
生える (haeru) — to grow; sprout
The kanji contributes a broad meaning, while the okurigana helps identify the specific vocabulary item and grammatical pattern.
3. It Distinguishes Related Words
明かり (akari) — light; illumination
明ける (akeru) — to dawn; to end; to open after a period
明らか (akiraka) — clear; obvious
Okurigana gives useful clues, but it does not make every reading perfectly predictable.
Where Does Okurigana Begin?
For a beginner, the hardest question is often: How much of the word should be written in kanji, and where should the kana begin?
明るい, not 明い
小さい, not 小い
動かす, not 動す
That is why official guidance contains main rules, exceptions, and permitted alternatives.
The Basic Okurigana Rules for Beginners
Japan’s official guidance organizes okurigana into seven general rules. Beginners do not need to memorize every official example immediately. The following sections turn the main ideas into a practical learning guide.
Rule 1: Conjugating Words Usually Send the Inflectional Ending
For many verbs, adjectives, and adjectival words, the part that changes is written in kana.
書かない / 書きます / 書いた
考える
考えない / 考えます / 考えた
高い
高くない / 高かった / 高ければ
静かだ
静かではない / 静かだった
For example, the standard spellings are 明るい, 大きい, 小さい, and 少ない.
Rule 1 Exceptions: Some Words Send More Kana
大きい — big
小さい — small
少ない — few
冷たい — cold to the touch
危ない — dangerous
The official rules list these and other exceptions. For learners, the most reliable approach is to memorize the spelling together with the vocabulary.
Rule 2: Related Words Influence Where Okurigana Begins
When a word contains a related verb or another recognizable form, the spelling often preserves that relationship.
related to 動く — to move
照らす — to illuminate
related to 照る — to shine
浮かぶ — to float; come to mind
related to 浮く — to float
生まれる — to be born
related to 生む — to give birth; produce
起こる — to occur
related to 起きる — to get up; happen
The kana is not only showing the final conjugation. It also helps distinguish the related word.
Rule 3: Ordinary Nouns Usually Have No Okurigana
A basic noun written with kanji normally does not receive kana simply because it has a Japanese reading.
鳥 (tori) — bird
花 (hana) — flower
山 (yama) — mountain
男 (otoko) — man
女 (onna) — woman
The noun 山 is conventionally written with the kanji alone. If the reader needs help with pronunciation, furigana can be added above it: 山.
Rule 3 Exceptions: Some Nouns End in Kana
後ろ — behind; back
幸せ — happiness
便り — news; letter
半ば — middle; halfway
独り — alone; one person
災い — calamity
Number words ending in つ also send that kana:
二つ — two things
三つ — three things
幾つ — how many
Rule 4: Nouns Derived from Verbs Often Keep Their Okurigana
Some nouns come from conjugating words. Their spelling often follows the original verb or adjective.
to move → movement
答える → 答え
to answer → answer
願う → 願い
to wish → wish
祭る → 祭り
to enshrine / celebrate → festival
暑い → 暑さ
hot → heat
重い → 重み
heavy → weight; importance
Context matters: a normal word in a sentence and a label, form field, job title, or compound noun may follow different conventions.
Rule 5: Adverbs, Adnominals, and Conjunctions Often Send the Final Syllable
更に (sara ni) — furthermore
少し (sukoshi) — a little
既に (sude ni) — already
再び (futatabi) — again
全く (mattaku) — entirely
最も (mottomo) — most
及び (oyobi) — and
但し (tadashi) — provided that; however
This category also has exceptions and words whose spelling is influenced by a related verb or adjective. Beginners should learn these as complete vocabulary items.
Rule 6: Compounds Usually Preserve the Okurigana of Their Parts
流れ込む — flow into
申し込む — apply; sign up
打ち合わせる — arrange; discuss in advance
若返る — become younger
聞き苦しい — unpleasant to hear
売り上げ — sales; proceeds
取り扱い — handling; treatment
For example, 申し込む contains 申す and 込む. However, fixed compound conventions create important exceptions.
Rule 7: Some Established Compound Nouns Omit Okurigana
Official guidance recognizes many compound nouns whose conventional spelling omits kana.
受取 — receipt; receiving
取引 — transaction
切手 — postage stamp
踏切 — railway crossing
割引 — discount
組合 — association; union
建物 — building
物語 — story
役割 — role
申し込みを受け付ける uses the verb 受け付ける.
受付は一階です uses the established noun 受付.
Mōshikomisho o uketsukeru.
Accept an application form.
受付で申し込む。
Uketsuke de mōshikomu.
Apply at reception.
Are 申し込み, 申込み, and 申込 All Correct?
You may encounter several spellings of a related word:
A fully sent spelling that clearly reflects 申し込む.
申込み
A shortened spelling found in some contexts.
申込
Often used inside fixed compounds, forms, headings, labels, and administrative expressions, such as 申込書 and 申込期限.
When writing for a company, school, government office, or publisher, follow that organization’s style guide consistently.
What Do “Main Rule,” “Exception,” and “Permitted Form” Mean?
The official Japanese guidance does not present okurigana as one absolute formula. It uses three kinds of instruction:
The normal principle to follow.
例外 (reigai) — exception
A word or group that follows a different established spelling.
許容 (kyoyō) — permitted alternative
Another spelling that may be used under the stated conditions.
表す — permitted: 表わす
現れる — permitted: 現われる
行う — permitted: 行なう
断る — permitted: 断わる
Modern publications often prefer one form for consistency, so follow the spelling used by your dictionary, textbook, or organization.
Okurigana vs Furigana: What Is the Difference?
た above 食 = furigana
It tells you how to pronounce the kanji.
べる after 食 = okurigana
It is part of the word’s normal spelling.
・small text above or beside the base text
・a pronunciation guide
・can be removed while leaving the normal word spelling
Okurigana
・normal-size kana after the kanji stem
・part of the word itself
・often changes when the word conjugates
Even when furigana disappears, 食べる still needs べる.
Learn more: What Does Furigana Mean?
Okurigana vs Hiragana: What Is the Difference?
Hiragana is a script. Okurigana is one function that hiragana can perform.
食べる
Hiragana as a particle:
本を読む
A word normally written in hiragana:
ここ
Hiragana as furigana:
学校
The script is the same, but its role changes according to where and how it is used.
Is Okurigana Always Hiragana?
In ordinary modern Japanese mixed writing, okurigana is normally written in hiragana.
Historical kanbun-reading annotations may use small katakana beside Chinese text, and dictionary definitions sometimes include that older or specialized sense of the term. For everyday modern Japanese learning, think of okurigana as the normal-size hiragana after a kanji stem.
Katakana next to kanji is more likely to be part of a special term, name, stylistic spelling, or annotation rather than ordinary okurigana.
How Okurigana Helps with Japanese Conjugation
Godan Verb Example: 読む
読まない — do not read
読みます — read, polite
読んだ — read, past
読める — can read
読もう — let’s read
Ichidan Verb Example: 食べる
食べない — do not eat
食べます — eat, polite
食べた — ate
食べられる — can eat / be eaten
食べよう — let’s eat
I-Adjective Example: 高い
高くない — not high / not expensive
高かった — was high / expensive
高ければ — if it is high / expensive
高すぎる — too high / expensive
Learn 食べる, not only “食 means eat” plus a vague ending. The full word tells you its reading and conjugation group.
Can Okurigana Change the Meaning?
Different okurigana can identify different words written with the same kanji.
開ける (akeru) — to open something
開く (hiraku) — to open; hold an event; unfold
下がる (sagaru) — to go down
下げる (sageru) — to lower something
下りる (oriru) — to go down; get off
下ろす (orosu) — to lower; unload; withdraw
Sentence context and vocabulary knowledge are still necessary.
A Beginner-Friendly Way to Choose Okurigana
Write the standard dictionary form and keep its kana ending.
Step 2: Does it belong to a related word family?
Check spellings such as 動く / 動かす and 上がる / 上げる.
Step 3: Is it an ordinary noun?
Many basic nouns use kanji alone, but learn listed exceptions such as 幸せ and 便り.
Step 4: Is it a noun derived from a verb?
A form such as 願い or 動き often preserves okurigana.
Step 5: Is it a fixed compound, heading, form field, or official term?
Established spellings such as 受付, 取引, 申込書, and 売上高 may omit kana.
Step 6: Check a Japanese dictionary or style guide.
When in doubt, verify the complete word rather than inventing a spelling from the kanji reading.
Japanese input conversion and dictionaries help native writers too.
Common Okurigana Mistakes
Mistake 1: Sending Too Little Kana
Correct: 食べる
Incorrect: 明い
Correct: 明るい
Incorrect: 動す
Correct: 動かす
Mistake 2: Sending Too Much Kana
Correct: 書く
Incorrect: 山ま
Correct: 山
Incorrect: 花な
Correct: 花
Mistake 3: Confusing a Particle with Okurigana
に is a particle.
く in 行く is okurigana.
Mistake 4: Confusing Furigana with Okurigana
Small kana above a kanji is a reading annotation. Normal-size kana after the kanji stem is part of the word.
Mistake 5: Assuming the Shortest Spelling Is Always More Formal
Forms such as 申込, 申込み, and 申し込み depend on word type, compound structure, and editorial convention—not simply formality.
Mistake 6: Treating Official Guidance as a Universal Law for Every Name and Field
The government guidance is a reference for general modern Japanese in public life. It explicitly does not attempt to govern every specialized field, personal spelling, proper noun, or table entry.
Natural Example Sentences with Okurigana
毎日、本を読みます。
Mainichi, hon o yomimasu.
I read a book every day.
窓を開けてください。
Mado o akete kudasai.
Please open the window.
ドアが開きました。
Doa ga akimashita.
The door opened.
このかばんは少し重いです。
Kono kaban wa sukoshi omoi desu.
This bag is a little heavy.
彼の動きはとても速い。
Kare no ugoki wa totemo hayai.
His movement is very fast.
願いがかなうといいですね。
Negai ga kanau to ii desu ne.
I hope your wish comes true.
こちらの申込書に名前を書いてください。
Kochira no mōshikomisho ni namae o kaite kudasai.
Please write your name on this application form.
受付で番号札を受け取ってください。
Uketsuke de bangōfuda o uketotte kudasai.
Please take a numbered ticket at reception.
表記は文書全体で統一してください。
Hyōki wa bunsho zentai de tōitsu shite kudasai.
Please keep the spelling consistent throughout the document.
送り仮名が違うと、別の言葉に見えることがあります。
Okurigana ga chigau to, betsu no kotoba ni mieru koto ga arimasu.
Different okurigana can make it look like a different word.
A Brief History of Modern Okurigana Rules
Okurigana conventions existed long before the present government guidance. Modern public spelling policy was reorganized to make usage more systematic while respecting established conventions.
Earlier spelling practices and official guidance
↓
The National Language Council reviewed practical usage
↓
The current framework was issued by Cabinet notification in 1973
↓
It organized spelling into seven rules with main rules, exceptions, and permitted forms
↓
A partial revision was made in 2010 alongside the revised Jōyō Kanji List
Specialized fields, personal spellings, and proper names are not all controlled by the guide.
How Should Japanese Learners Study Okurigana?
Memorize 食べる, 食べます, and 食べた—not only 食 = “eat.”
Study transitive and intransitive pairs together.
上がる / 上げる, 開く / 開ける, 下がる / 下げる.
Notice derived nouns.
動く → 動き, 願う → 願い.
Save fixed compounds as complete expressions.
受付, 取引, 申込書, 売上高.
Copy the spelling from a reliable dictionary.
Do not decide the boundary from sound alone.
Keep one style consistent.
When alternatives are permitted, use the form preferred by your source or organization.
The rules become more useful later, when you want to understand patterns, check an unfamiliar word, or write consistently.
FAQ About Okurigana
What does okurigana mean?
Okurigana means kana written after a kanji or kanji stem as part of the word’s normal spelling. It often shows reading and grammatical changes.
What is an example of okurigana?
In 食べる, べる is okurigana. In 書く, く is okurigana.
Why does Japanese use okurigana?
Okurigana shows conjugation, helps identify readings, distinguishes related words, and connects kanji stems to Japanese grammar.
Is every hiragana after kanji okurigana?
No. A particle, separate word, prefix, or suffix may follow kanji without being okurigana. The kana must form part of the same word.
What is the difference between okurigana and furigana?
Okurigana appears after a kanji stem in normal-size text and forms part of the word. Furigana is small reading text placed above or beside the base text.
What is the difference between okurigana and hiragana?
Hiragana is a script. Okurigana is a function in which hiragana is used after kanji as part of a word.
Is okurigana always hiragana?
In ordinary modern Japanese mixed writing, okurigana is normally hiragana. Historical kanbun annotations use the term in a broader specialized sense.
Why is 食べる not written 食る?
The standard spelling sends べる. This identifies the complete reading taberu and distinguishes the word clearly.
Are 申し込み and 申込 both correct?
Both can appear, but their use depends on context. 申し込み is a clear standalone noun spelling, while 申込 commonly appears in fixed compounds and labels such as 申込書.
Can a word have more than one permitted okurigana spelling?
Yes. Official guidance includes permitted alternatives such as 表す／表わす and 行う／行なう. A publication normally chooses one style consistently.
Do native Japanese speakers make okurigana mistakes?
Yes. Some word families, exceptions, and alternative spellings are difficult, so native writers also check dictionaries and style guides.
Who decides Japanese okurigana rules?
Japan’s general public reference is the Cabinet-notified Okurigana no Tsukekata, maintained on the Agency for Cultural Affairs website. It is a guide for general modern Japanese rather than a universal rule for every field and proper noun.
Is That Kana Okurigana? A 2-Question Check
Not every hiragana after a kanji is okurigana. Answer two questions about the kana you are looking at.
It is a separate grammatical piece, not part of the kanji word, as in 本を読む or お兄さん.
Keep the changing ending in kana, as in the べる in 食べる or the かった in 高かった.
Most basic nouns like 山 or 花 use kanji alone, check the exceptions list for words like 幸せ or 一つ.
※ Quick test: if the kana changes when the word conjugates (食べる → 食べた → 食べます), it is okurigana. If it stays fixed and belongs to a different word, it is not.
Summary: Okurigana Meaning and Rules
Examples include the べる in 食べる and the く in 書く.
● It shows reading and grammar.
It helps readers recognize vocabulary and see conjugated forms.
● Not every kana after kanji is okurigana.
Particles, separate words, prefixes, and suffixes have different roles.
● The basic rule is to send the changing ending.
However, related word families, exceptions, and established spellings affect where the kana begins.
● Ordinary nouns usually use no okurigana.
There are important exceptions such as 幸せ, 便り, and 一つ.
● Derived nouns often preserve kana.
Examples include 動き, 答え, 願い, and 祭り.
● Compounds may keep or omit okurigana.
Compare 申し込む and 申込書, or 受け付ける and 受付.
● Furigana and okurigana are different.
Furigana is an optional reading guide; okurigana is part of the normal spelling.
● Learn the complete word first.
Use the rules to understand patterns, but verify unfamiliar spellings in a reliable dictionary.
Once you learn words as complete units—食べる, 動かす, 明るい, 申し込み—the endings stop looking random and begin revealing useful patterns.
Related Articles
- Hiragana vs Katakana vs Kanji: Differences and When to Use Each
- Why Does Japanese Have 3 Writing Systems?
- What Does Furigana Mean?
- What Is Romaji? Romaji vs Hiragana
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Okurigana no Tsukekata — the current official index and complete rules.
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: How to Read and Use the Okurigana Rules — the seven-rule structure and definitions of main rules, exceptions, and permitted forms.
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Explanation and Revision History.
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Scope of the Official Guidance.
- Kotobank: 送り仮名 — dictionary definitions and examples.
