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道Nihongo Path
貫

貫·pierce, penetrate, carry through

On-yomi
カン
Kun-yomi
つらぬ(く)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
一貫いっかんconsistency, coherence
一貫性いっかんせいconsistency
貫くつらぬくto pierce; to carry through to the end
貫通かんつうpenetration, going right through

Example sentences

  1. 彼は最後まで自分の考えを貫いた。

    かれはさいごまでじぶんのかんがえをつらぬいた。

    He stuck to his own convictions to the very end.

  2. トンネルがようやく貫通した。

    とんねるがようやくかんつうした。

    The tunnel has finally been bored right through.

  3. 彼の話には一貫性がない。

    かれのはなしにはいっかんせいがない。

    There is no consistency in what he says.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 初志貫徹 (しょしかんてつ) — the compound takes 貫, not 慣
  • The old weight unit 貫 (about 3.75 kg) survives only in sumo and traditional trades

Memory aid

Picture it

貝 (coins) with a cord threaded through the top: a string of coins pierced right through the middle.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 貫 mean?