裁
裁·judge, cut cloth
- On-yomi
- サイ
- Kun-yomi
- た(つ)さば(く)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 裁判 | さいばん | trial, court case |
| 裁く | さばく | to judge, pass judgment |
| 裁判所 | さいばんしょ | court of law |
| 洋裁 | ようさい | dressmaking |
Example sentences
裁判は来週始まります。
さいばんはらいしゅうはじまります。
The trial starts next week.
人を裁くのは難しい。
ひとをさばくのはむずかしい。
Judging people is difficult.
母は洋裁を習っている。
はははようさいをならっている。
My mother is learning dressmaking.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 裁判 as *さいはん
- Forgetting that 裁 also means cutting cloth, as in 洋裁
Memory aid
Picture it
Cloth (衣) cut by a blade (戈) — the same decisive cut used for fabric and for verdicts.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 独裁どくさいdictatorship
- 制裁せいさいsanctions
- 仲裁ちゅうさいarbitration, mediation
- 決裁けっさいapproval, sanction (by a superior)
- 裁くさばくto judge; to try (a case); to pass judgment on
- 体裁ていさいoutward appearance; form; format; keeping up appearances; decency
- 裁判さいばんtrial
- 裁判所さいばんしょcourt
- 裁判官さいばんかんjudge
- 制裁するせいさいするto sanction, to punish (as a penalty)
- 裁縫さいほうsewing, needlework
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 裁 mean?