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道Nihongo Path
宗

宗·sect, religion

On-yomi
シュウソウ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
宗教しゅうきょうreligion
宗派しゅうはsect, denomination
禅宗ぜんしゅうthe Zen sect
宗家そうけhead family of a school or art

Example sentences

  1. 彼は宗教にあまり関心がない。

    かれはしゅうきょうにあまりかんしんがない。

    He is not very interested in religion.

  2. 茶道の宗家を訪ねた。

    さどうのそうけをたずねた。

    We visited the head family of the tea ceremony school.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 宗 is シュウ in 宗教 but ソウ in 宗家 (そうけ).
  • Writing 完 or 定 for 宗 — under the roof must be 示.

Memory aid

Picture it

A roof 宀 over an altar 示 — the household shrine at the centre of a family line.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 宗 mean?