冒
冒·risk, face, defy
- On-yomi
- ぼう
- Kun-yomi
- おか.す
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 冒険 | ぼうけん | adventure |
| 冒す | おかす | to brave, to risk; to afflict (of illness) |
| 冒頭 | ぼうとう | the opening, the beginning (of a text or speech) |
| 感冒 | かんぼう | a cold (medical term) |
Example sentences
子供の頃は冒険小説が好きだった。
こどものころはぼうけんしょうせつがすきだった。
I loved adventure novels as a child.
危険を冒してまでやる価値はない。
きけんをおかしてまでやるかちはない。
It is not worth doing at that kind of risk.
論文の冒頭で目的を述べた。
ろんぶんのぼうとうでもくてきをのべた。
I stated the aim at the beginning of the paper.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 冒冑冑 (かぶと, helmet) shares the same cap on top; 冒 has 目 beneath it, 冑 does not.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the three おかす: 冒す (brave a risk), 犯す (commit a crime), 侵す (invade)
- Writing the top element as 日 — the two inner strokes do not touch the sides
Memory aid
Picture it
A cap 冃 pulled down over an eye 目: pushing forward with your eyes half-covered — that is taking a risk.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 冒 mean?