襲
襲·attack, succeed to
- On-yomi
- シュウ
- Kun-yomi
- おそ(う)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 襲撃 | しゅうげき | assault, raid |
| 襲う | おそう | to attack, to strike |
| 世襲 | せしゅう | hereditary succession |
| 逆襲 | ぎゃくしゅう | counterattack |
Example sentences
台風が九州を襲った。
たいふうがきゅうしゅうをおそった。
A typhoon struck Kyushu.
夜中に激しい不安に襲われた。
よなかにはげしいふあんにおそわれた。
I was seized by intense anxiety in the middle of the night.
その店は強盗に襲撃された。
そのみせはごうとうにしゅうげきされた。
The shop was raided by robbers.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 襲龍襲 is 龍 (dragon) stacked on 衣 (clothing); 龍 alone is the top half.
- 襲撃撃 (to strike) is the partner kanji in 襲撃 but is built on the hand 手, not 衣.
Common mistakes
- Reading 襲う as しゅうう — the kun reading is おそう
- Forgetting the second sense: 世襲 and 踏襲 use 襲 for inheriting or following a precedent, not attacking
Memory aid
Picture it
A dragon (龍) dropping down onto a robe (衣) — something swooping in on you.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 襲 mean?