書く
kaku[ka̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese verb for 'to write' is 書く (kaku).
書く is used to describe the act of forming letters, characters or words on a surface.
Meaning: to form letters, etc. (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb can change its form to express different tenses and intentions: 書いた is the past tense (wrote), 書かない is the negative form (do not write) and 書こう is the volitional form (let's write). The continuous form 書いてる means 'to be writing'. You can also create the noun 書き方 (way of writing or how to write) by adding 方 to the verb stem.
How do you pronounce it?
kaku
Did you know?
- Because of its connection to scratching, the word 書く is conceptually related to the English word 'write', which also comes from a root meaning 'to scratch' or 'to carve'.
- The concept of 'writing' in Japan is deeply tied to 書道 (shodō), which translates to 'the way of writing' and is practiced as a meditative discipline.
- The verb 書く shares the exact same pronunciation as the verb 掻く, which means 'to scratch'.
Examples in context
- すぐに手紙書くよ。I will write to you soon.This sentence is useful for expressing the intention to write a letter soon using 書く.Tatoeba #1035914 by bunbuku, translation #52195 by CK
- 書く紙ちょうだい。Give me some paper to write on.This sentence is useful for requesting paper for the purpose of 書く.Tatoeba #11394875 by small_snow, translation #267135 by CK
- 書くものが欲しいな。I need something to write with.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for a writing instrument using 書く.Tatoeba #147423 by bunbuku, translation #25087 by CK
- 私は手紙を書きます。I write letters.
- 今度本を書くつもりです。I plan to write a book soon.
- 今、メールを書いてるんだ。I'm currently writing an email.
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “write” translations and entries 書く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 書く, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
