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道Nihongo Path
穂

穂·ear (of grain)

On-yomi
スイ
Kun-yomi
ほ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
稲穂いなほear of rice
穂ほear, head (of grain)
穂先ほさきthe tip of an ear or blade
出穂しゅっすいheading (of a grain crop)

Example sentences

  1. 稲穂が風に揺れている。

    いなほがかぜにゆれている。

    The ears of rice are swaying in the wind.

  2. 畑の麦の穂が実ってきた。

    はたけのむぎのほがみのってきた。

    The ears of wheat in the field are ripening.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 稲穂 as いねほ — it is いなほ
  • 穂 alone is ほ; the on-reading スイ shows up only in technical compounds like 出穂

Memory aid

Picture it

The grain radical 禾 with 恵 (a blessing): the head of grain is the plant's gift, carried at the top of the stalk.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 穂 mean?