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斜

斜·diagonal, slanting

On-yomi
シャ
Kun-yomi
なな(め)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
斜面しゃめんslope
斜めななめdiagonal, slanted
傾斜けいしゃinclination, gradient
斜線しゃせんdiagonal line, slash

Example sentences

  1. 絵が斜めに掛かっている。

    えがななめにかかっている。

    The picture is hanging crooked.

  2. この斜面はスキーの初心者向きだ。

    このしゃめんはスキーのしょしんしゃむきだ。

    This slope is suited to beginner skiers.

  3. 屋根の傾斜が急すぎて上れない。

    やねのけいしゃがきゅうすぎてのぼれない。

    The roof's slope is too steep to climb.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 斜面 as ななめめん — the compound uses しゃめん
  • Writing 斜め without the trailing め in careful writing; 斜 alone is not read ななめ

Memory aid

Picture it

A measuring ladle (斗) tipped over on its side — everything pours out at a slant.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 斜 mean?