Meaning

Primary

Prefecture

Word Type

noun, suffix

Explanation

Attach this word onto the end of a prefecture place name and you have the prefecture portion of _____ prefecture. These are a lot like states or provinces.

Reading

けん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this is the same as what you learned with the kanji, probably because it's always attached to things (so it's like jukugo). Don't write the when you're writing in the answer, just the けん portion, and you'll get this one correct.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 青森県

    Aomori Prefecture

    山口県

    Yamaguchi Prefecture

    石川県

    Ishikawa Prefecture

Context Sentences

何県の出身ですか。

What prefecture are you from?

石川県には三回行ったことがありますよ。

I have been to Ishikawa prefecture three times.

山口県の名物はフグです。

Yamaguchi prefecture's specialty is puffer fish.

Kanji Composition