瀬
瀬·shallows, rapids, current
- On-yomi
- ライ
- Kun-yomi
- せ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 浅瀬 | あさせ | shallows, shoal |
| 瀬戸 | せと | strait, narrow channel |
| 瀬戸際 | せとぎわ | the brink, critical moment |
| 瀬戸物 | せともの | china, earthenware |
Example sentences
川の浅瀬を歩いて渡った。
かわのあさせをあるいてわたった。
I waded across the shallows of the river.
会社は倒産の瀬戸際にある。
かいしゃはとうさんのせとぎわにある。
The company is on the brink of bankruptcy.
この瀬戸物は祖母からもらった。
このせとものはそぼからもらった。
I got this china from my grandmother.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- The ライ reading is essentially never used — in practice 瀬 is せ
- 立つ瀬がない is a set phrase meaning 'to have no way to save face'
Memory aid
Picture it
氵 (water) beside 頼 (rely on): the shallow stretch of river you can rely on to get across.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 瀬 mean?