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道Nihongo Path
苗

苗·seedling

On-yomi
ビョウ
Kun-yomi
なえなわ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
苗なえseedling, young plant
苗字みょうじsurname, family name
苗木なえぎsapling, young tree
早苗さなえyoung rice plants

Example sentences

  1. 田んぼに苗を植えた。

    たんぼになえをうえた。

    We planted the rice seedlings in the paddy.

  2. 書類に苗字と名前を書いてください。

    しょるいにみょうじとなまえをかいてください。

    Please write your surname and given name on the form.

  3. 記念に庭へ苗木を植えた。

    きねんににわへなえぎをうえた。

    We planted a sapling in the garden to mark the occasion.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 苗字 as なえじ — it is みょうじ, an irregular reading worth memorising
  • 苗字 and 名字 are both written for 'surname' and read the same

Memory aid

Picture it

Grass 艹 growing above a field 田 — young green shoots standing in the paddy.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 苗 mean?