透 — “Transparent / Permeate / Filter / Penetrate” in Japanese

Master (高手)とう, す

Radical ⾡ · radical 162 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Transparent / Permeate / Filter / Penetrate” in Japanese is 透, read tou, su (とう, す). 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 透明 (transparent).

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What does 透 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	透
Meaning	Transparent / Permeate / Filter / Penetrate
Readings	とう, す
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	透明 (transparent)

How to read 透

透 is read tou (とう) or su (す) depending on the word.

Words with 透

透明
浸透

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Kanji read the same way as 透

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

Updated: 2026-08-28