貪
貪·covet, greedy
- On-yomi
- ドン
- Kun-yomi
- むさぼ(る)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 貪欲 | どんよく | greed, avarice |
| 貪る | むさぼる | to devour, covet |
| 貪り読む | むさぼりよむ | to read voraciously |
| 貪欲さ | どんよくさ | greediness, hunger (for something) |
Example sentences
彼は知識に貪欲だ。
かれはちしきにどんよくだ。
He is hungry for knowledge.
少年は本を貪るように読んだ。
しょうねんはほんをむさぼるようによんだ。
The boy devoured the book.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Confusing 貪 with 貧 — check whether the top is 今 or 分.
- 貪欲 can be positive (貪欲に学ぶ, to learn hungrily), not only greedy.
Memory aid
Picture it
今 (now) sitting on 貝 (money) — wanting the money now, and all of it.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 貪 mean?