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道Nihongo Path
矢

矢·arrow

On-yomi
シ
Kun-yomi
や

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
矢印やじるしarrow mark, arrow sign
弓矢ゆみやbow and arrow
矢やarrow
一矢いっしa single arrow, a counterstroke

Example sentences

  1. 矢印の方向に進んでください。

    やじるしのほうこうにすすんでください。

    Please proceed in the direction of the arrow.

  2. 彼の放った矢は的の中心に当たった。

    かれのはなったやはまとのちゅうしんにあたった。

    The arrow he loosed struck the center of the target.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 失 (lose) in place of 矢
  • Reading 矢印 as しいん — the compound uses the kun reading や

Memory aid

Picture it

A drawing of an arrow: the head at the top, the shaft down the middle, the feathered notch spreading at the bottom.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 矢 mean?