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道Nihongo Path
溺

溺·drown, indulge

On-yomi
デキ
Kun-yomi
おぼ(れる)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
溺れるおぼれるto drown; to be ruined by (drink, gambling)
溺愛できあいdoting on someone
溺死できしdeath by drowning

Example sentences

  1. 子供が川で溺れそうになった。

    こどもがかわでおぼれそうになった。

    A child nearly drowned in the river.

  2. 祖父は孫を溺愛している。

    そふはまごをできあいしている。

    My grandfather dotes on his grandchildren.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 溺死 as おぼれし — the compound is できし
  • 酒に溺れる means to be ruined by drink; 溺れる takes に

Memory aid

Picture it

氵 (water) with 弱 (weak): weakness in the water, and under you go.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 溺 mean?