醒
醒·awaken, sober
- On-yomi
- セイ
- Kun-yomi
- さ(める)さ(ます)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 覚醒 | かくせい | awakening, coming to |
| 覚醒剤 | かくせいざい | stimulant drug |
| 醒める | さめる | to sober up, come to one's senses |
| 酔い醒め | よいざめ | sobering up after drinking |
Example sentences
朝日が差して目が醒めた。
あさひがさしてめがさめた。
The morning sun came in and I woke up.
その事故が社会の覚醒を促した。
そのじこがしゃかいのかくせいをうながした。
That accident prompted society to wake up.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- For ordinary waking, 覚める is the standard spelling; 醒める is literary.
- Reading 覚醒 as かくせい, not かくしょう.
Memory aid
Picture it
The sake jar 酉 beside a star 星 — sobering up out under the stars.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 醒 mean?