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道Nihongo Path
顎

顎·jaw

On-yomi
ガク
Kun-yomi
あご

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

18 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
顎あごjaw, chin
顎関節がくかんせつthe jaw joint
下顎したあごlower jaw
顎髭あごひげbeard on the chin

Example sentences

  1. 顎が痛くて口が開けにくい。

    あごがいたくてくちがあけにくい。

    My jaw hurts and it's hard to open my mouth.

  2. 彼は顎に手を当てて考えこんだ。

    かれはあごにてをあててかんがえこんだ。

    He put a hand to his chin and fell into thought.

  3. 顎関節の治療で歯医者に通っている。

    がくかんせつのちりょうではいしゃにかよっている。

    I'm seeing a dentist for treatment of my jaw joint.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 顎関節 as あごかんせつ — the technical compound is がくかんせつ
  • Confusing 顎 (jaw) with 顔 (face) — both carry the head element 頁

Memory aid

Picture it

The noisy element 咢 (two mouths) beside 頁 'head' — the part of the head that keeps opening and shutting.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 顎 mean?