矛
矛·halberd, spear
- On-yomi
- ム
- Kun-yomi
- ほこ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 矛盾 | むじゅん | contradiction |
| 矛先 | ほこさき | spearhead, point of attack |
| 矛 | ほこ | halberd, spear |
Example sentences
その説明には大きな矛盾がある。
そのせつめいにはおおきなむじゅんがある。
There is a major contradiction in that explanation.
批判の矛先が社長に向いた。
ひはんのほこさきがしゃちょうにむいた。
The brunt of the criticism turned on the president.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 矛 alone is ほこ, but 矛盾 is むじゅん — neither reading carries over
- 矛盾 comes from a story about a spear and a shield; using it for a mere inconsistency in schedule is odd — it means a logical contradiction
Memory aid
Picture it
A long shaft with a hook near the top: the picture of a halberd, the weapon that supposedly pierced any shield.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 矛 mean?