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道Nihongo Path
霊

霊·spirit, soul

On-yomi
レイリョウ
Kun-yomi
たま

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
幽霊ゆうれいghost
霊感れいかんinspiration; psychic sense
霊魂れいこんsoul, spirit
悪霊あくりょうevil spirit

Example sentences

  1. この屋敷には幽霊が出るという噂がある。

    このやしきにはゆうれいがでるといううわさがある。

    There is a rumour that a ghost appears in this mansion.

  2. 彼女は霊感が強いらしい。

    かのじょはれいかんがつよいらしい。

    Apparently she has strong psychic sense.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 悪霊 is read あくりょう with the リョウ reading, not あくれい.
  • 霊感 in everyday speech usually means psychic sensitivity, not artistic inspiration.

Memory aid

Picture it

Rain 雨 falling over a small altar below — spirits descending like rainfall onto the shrine.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 霊 mean?