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道Nihongo Path
壮

壮·robust, magnificent

On-yomi
ソウ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
壮大そうだいmagnificent, grand
勇壮ゆうそうbrave, heroic
壮絶そうぜつfierce, intense
壮年そうねんprime of life

Example sentences

  1. 山の上から壮大な景色が見えた。

    やまのうえからそうだいなけしきがみえた。

    A magnificent view opened up from the mountaintop.

  2. 彼は最後まで壮絶な戦いを続けた。

    かれはさいごまでそうぜつなたたかいをつづけた。

    He kept up a fierce fight to the very end.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 荘大 for 壮大 — the 'grand scale' word takes 壮
  • Reading 勇壮 as ゆうしょう — it is ゆうそう (勇壮 is not 優勝)

Memory aid

Picture it

A slice of 爿 (a plank bed) beside 士 (a warrior) — a strong man in his prime, hence robust and magnificent.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 壮 mean?