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道Nihongo Path
擦

擦·rub, scrape, chafe

On-yomi
サツ
Kun-yomi
す(る)す(れる)こす(る)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
摩擦まさつfriction
擦るこするto rub, to scrub
擦れ違うすれちがうto pass by each other, to talk past each other
擦り傷すりきずa scrape, graze

Example sentences

  1. 転んで膝に擦り傷ができた。

    ころんでひざにすりきずができた。

    I fell and got a scrape on my knee.

  2. 眠くて目を擦ってしまった。

    ねむくてめをこすってしまった。

    I was sleepy and ended up rubbing my eyes.

  3. 二人の意見はいつも擦れ違ったままだ。

    ふたりのいけんはいつもすれちがったままだ。

    The two of them always end up talking past each other.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 擦 in compounds as さっ- only: 摩擦 is まさつ, not まさっ
  • Confusing 擦る (こする/する, to rub) with 刷る (する, to print) — the kanji differ even though the kana match

Memory aid

Picture it

Hand 扌 plus 察 (to examine closely): a hand going over a surface again and again, inspecting it by rubbing.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 擦 mean?