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道Nihongo Path
徹

徹·thorough, penetrate

On-yomi
テツ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
徹底てっていthoroughness
徹夜てつやstaying up all night
貫徹かんてつcarrying through, accomplishment
冷徹れいてつcool-headed, dispassionate

Example sentences

  1. 試験のために徹夜で勉強した。

    しけんのためにてつやでべんきょうした。

    I stayed up all night studying for the exam.

  2. 安全対策を徹底してください。

    あんぜんたいさくをてっていしてください。

    Please make the safety measures thorough.

  3. 彼は初志を貫徹した。

    かれはしょしをかんてつした。

    He carried his original intention through to the end.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 撤底 for 徹底 — the thoroughness word takes 彳
  • Reading 徹底 as てつてい — it is てってい

Memory aid

Picture it

The step radical 彳 with a hand and a stick driving on — walking straight through to the far side without stopping.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 徹 mean?