Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
屈

屈·bend, yield

On-yomi
クツ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
退屈たいくつboredom
屈するくっするto yield, to submit
屈折くっせつrefraction, bending
窮屈きゅうくつcramped, stifling

Example sentences

  1. 雨の日は家にいて退屈だ。

    あめのひはいえにいてたいくつだ。

    On rainy days I stay home and get bored.

  2. 彼は圧力に屈しなかった。

    かれはあつりょくにくっしなかった。

    He did not give in to the pressure.

  3. この靴は小さくて窮屈だ。

    このくつはちいさくてきゅうくつだ。

    These shoes are small and tight.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 屈折 as くつせつ — it is くっせつ
  • Reading 窮屈 as きゅうきょく — it is きゅうくつ

Memory aid

Picture it

A body 尸 folded over the 出 that cannot get out — bent double, and so yielding.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 屈 mean?