書く

kaku
verbBeginner
general

to write

手紙を書く

to write a letter

名前を書く

to write a name

💡

Commonly used for writing text, letters, or names.

literary

to compose (music, poetry, etc.)

歌を書く

to compose a song

💡

Used when creating written works like songs or poems.

Collocations

手紙を書くto write a letter名前を書くto write a name日記を書くto write a diary

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

書き込むphrase
to write in (a book, etc.)
書き留めるphrase
to jot down

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

書く is often used with objects like 手紙 (letter) or 名前 (name).

Gold Rule

Verb Conjugation

書く is a godan verb and conjugates like other godan verbs (e.g., 書きます for polite form).

📖Word Origin

From Old Japanese 'kaku', meaning 'to write'.

📝Usage Notes

Often used with objects like 手紙 (letter) or 名前 (name).

Word Breakdown

to write
root
+
verb ending
suffix
Noted on May 2, 2026JAEN