焦 — “Char / Hurry / Impatient / Irritate” in Japanese

Master (高手)しょう, こ, あせ

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“Char / Hurry / Impatient / Irritate” in Japanese is 焦, read shou, ko, ase (しょう, こ, あせ). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 焦点 (focus).

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What does 焦 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	焦
Meaning	Char / Hurry / Impatient / Irritate
Readings	しょう, こ, あせ
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	焦点 (focus)

How to read 焦

焦 is read shou (しょう) or ko (こ) or ase (あせ) depending on the word.

Words with 焦

焦点

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Kanji read the same way as 焦

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28