Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
敵

敵·enemy

On-yomi
テキ
Kun-yomi
かたき

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
敵てきenemy, opponent
匹敵ひってきto rival, be a match for
強敵きょうてきformidable opponent
敵対てきたいhostility, antagonism

Example sentences

  1. 油断すると敵に負けるよ。

    ゆだんするとてきにまけるよ。

    If you let your guard down you will lose to your opponent.

  2. 決勝の相手はかなりの強敵だ。

    けっしょうのあいてはかなりのきょうてきだ。

    The opponent in the final is a formidable one.

  3. 彼の実力はプロに匹敵する。

    かれのじつりょくはぷろにひってきする。

    His ability rivals that of a professional.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing 敵 (enemy) with 適 (suitable) — both read テキ
  • Reading 匹敵 as ひきてき instead of ひってき

Memory aid

Picture it

The same body as 適 but with a hand raised to strike (攵) — the one you fight rather than the thing that fits.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 敵 mean?