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道Nihongo Path
萎

萎·wilt, wither

On-yomi
イ
Kun-yomi
な(える)しお(れる)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
萎縮いしゅくatrophy; shrinking back
萎れるしおれるto wilt; to be downcast
萎えるなえるto lose strength, to go limp
萎えなえloss of vigour

Example sentences

  1. 花が暑さで萎れてしまった。

    はながあつさでしおれてしまった。

    The flowers wilted in the heat.

  2. ひどく叱られて気持ちが萎えた。

    ひどくしかられてきもちがなえた。

    Being scolded badly took the fight out of me.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 萎縮 as いちぢみ — it is いしゅく
  • 萎れる (plants, spirits) and 萎える (strength, will) are two different kun-readings of the same kanji

Memory aid

Picture it

The grass radical 艹 over 委 (to leave to someone): a plant left to itself, drooping.

Vocabulary using this kanji

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What does the kanji 萎 mean?