虎
虎·tiger
- On-yomi
- コ
- Kun-yomi
- とら
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 虎 | とら | tiger |
| 虎の子 | とらのこ | treasured possession, precious savings |
| 虎穴 | こけつ | tiger's den, dangerous place |
| 虎の巻 | とらのまき | crib notes, insider's manual |
Example sentences
動物園で虎が静かに眠っていた。
どうぶつえんでとらがしずかにねむっていた。
The tiger was sleeping quietly at the zoo.
これは私の虎の子の貯金だ。
これはわたしのとらのこのちょきんだ。
This is my precious nest egg.
虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。
こけつにいらずんばこじをえず。
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Taking 虎の子 literally as 'tiger cub' when it usually means treasured savings
- Reading 虎穴 as とらあな — the set phrase uses こけつ
Memory aid
Picture it
The tiger-hide top 虍 over the legs 儿 — a striped cat standing on its hind legs.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 虎 mean?