寸
寸·measurement, sun (approx. 3 cm), a tiny amount
- On-yomi
- スン
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 寸法 | すんぽう | measurements, dimensions |
| 寸前 | すんぜん | just before, on the verge of |
| 寸断 | すんだん | cutting to pieces, severing |
| 一寸先 | いっすんさき | an inch ahead |
Example sentences
服の寸法を測ってもらった。
ふくのすんぽうをはかってもらった。
I had my clothes measured.
電車は発車寸前だった。
でんしゃははっしゃすんぜんだった。
The train was just about to depart.
台風で道路が寸断された。
たいふうでどうろがすんだんされた。
The roads were cut to pieces by the typhoon.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 寸前 means 'just before' in time, not 'just in front' in space — that is 目の前.
- ちょっと is sometimes written 一寸, but that spelling is old-fashioned; write it in kana.
Memory aid
Picture it
A hand with a mark one thumb-width below the wrist — the old unit taken from the body, hence any small measure.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 寸 mean?