激
激·violent, intense, fierce, sharp (change)
- On-yomi
- ゲキ
- Kun-yomi
- はげ(しい)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 刺激 | しげき | stimulus, stimulation |
| 激しい | はげしい | intense, violent |
| 急激 | きゅうげき | sudden, rapid |
| 感激 | かんげき | deep emotion |
| 激減 | げきげん | sharp decrease |
Example sentences
激しい雨で、川の水があふれた。
はげしいあめで、かわのみずがあふれた。
The river overflowed because of the heavy rain.
この薬は胃に刺激が強いので、食後に飲んでください。
このくすりはいにしげきがつよいので、しょくごにのんでください。
This medicine is harsh on the stomach, so take it after meals.
気温の急激な変化で体調を崩した。
きおんのきゅうげきなへんかでたいちょうをくずした。
I fell ill from the sudden change in temperature.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 激 and 撃 are both ゲキ: 刺激, 激しい, 急激 use 激 (water radical); 攻撃, 衝撃, 目撃 use 撃.
- 感激 (being moved) vs 感動 (being moved): 感激 is stronger and more personal, often gratitude.
Memory aid
Picture it
Water 氵 striking 攵 against a white rock 白 and splashing 方 up: violent, intense.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 激励げきれいencouragement; urging someone on; a rallying word
- 激しいはげしいintense, violent
- 感激するかんげきするto be deeply moved
- 急激きゅうげきsudden, sharp, rapid, drastic
- 刺激しげきstimulus, stimulation; irritation; excitement, impetus
- 感激かんげきdeep emotion, being moved
- 激減するげきげんするto decrease sharply, to plummet
- 激増げきぞうsharp increase, sudden jump
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 激 mean?