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道Nihongo Path
戒

戒·commandment, admonish, guard against

On-yomi
カイ
Kun-yomi
いまし(める)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
警戒けいかいvigilance, caution
戒めるいましめるto admonish, to warn against
戒律かいりつreligious precept
戒厳令かいげんれいmartial law

Example sentences

  1. 警察は事故の再発を警戒している。

    けいさつはじこのさいはつをけいかいしている。

    The police are on guard against the accident happening again.

  2. 父は私の甘えを戒めた。

    ちちはわたしのあまえをいましめた。

    My father admonished me for taking things for granted.

  3. その寺には厳しい戒律がある。

    そのてらにはきびしいかいりつがある。

    That temple has strict precepts.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 戒める (admonish) vs 慰める (console) — the shapes and meanings are opposite
  • Reading 警戒 as けいかいり by running on — the word is けいかい

Memory aid

Picture it

A halberd 戈 held up in both hands: standing guard and warning others off.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 戒 mean?