洞
洞·cave, hollow, see through
- On-yomi
- ドウ
- Kun-yomi
- ほら
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 洞窟 | どうくつ | cave, cavern |
| 洞穴 | ほらあな | cave, hole |
| 洞察 | どうさつ | insight, discernment |
| 空洞 | くうどう | cavity, hollow |
Example sentences
この洞窟は千年前から知られていた。
このどうくつはせんねんまえからしられていた。
This cave has been known for a thousand years.
彼の洞察は問題の核心を突いていた。
かれのどうさつはもんだいのかくしんをついていた。
His insight struck at the heart of the problem.
古い木の幹に空洞ができている。
ふるいきのみきにくうどうができている。
A hollow has formed in the trunk of the old tree.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 洞穴 as どうけつ in everyday speech — the common reading is ほらあな (どうけつ exists but is technical)
- Forgetting the abstract sense: 洞察力 (どうさつりょく) is 'powers of insight', nothing to do with caves
Memory aid
Picture it
Water 氵 next to 同 (same, and a picture of an opening): water hollowing out the same passage again and again until a cave opens.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 洞 mean?