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道Nihongo Path
姿

姿·figure, form

On-yomi
シ
Kun-yomi
すがた

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
姿すがたfigure, appearance
姿勢しせいposture, attitude
後ろ姿うしろすがたview of someone from behind
姿見すがたみfull-length mirror

Example sentences

  1. 駅で友達の後ろ姿が見えた。

    えきでともだちのうしろすがたがみえた。

    I saw my friend from behind at the station.

  2. 姿勢をよくして座りなさい。

    しせいをよくしてすわりなさい。

    Sit up with good posture.

  3. 鏡に映った自分の姿に驚いた。

    かがみにうつったじぶんのすがたにおどろいた。

    I was startled by my own reflection in the mirror.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 姿 as し when it stands alone — by itself it is すがた
  • Reading 姿勢 as すがたせい — it is しせい

Memory aid

Picture it

次 (next) sitting on 女 — one figure after another passing by, each with its own shape.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 姿 mean?