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道Nihongo Path
腸

腸·intestine

On-yomi
チョウ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
腸ちょうintestines, bowels
大腸だいちょうlarge intestine
小腸しょうちょうsmall intestine
胃腸いちょうstomach and intestines, digestive system

Example sentences

  1. 最近、胃腸の調子がよくない。

    さいきん、いちょうのちょうしがよくない。

    My digestion hasn't been good lately.

  2. 四十歳を過ぎたら大腸の検査を受けたほうがいい。

    よんじゅっさいをすぎたらだいちょうのけんさをうけたほうがいい。

    You should get your colon checked once you're past forty.

  3. ヨーグルトは腸にいいそうだ。

    ヨーグルトはちょうにいいそうだ。

    They say yogurt is good for the gut.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 胃腸 as いぞう — it is いちょう
  • Confusing 腸 with 臓 (ぞう, internal organ) — 腸 is specifically the intestines

Memory aid

Picture it

Flesh (月) plus 昜 'sun rising over the horizon' — a long, winding tube stretching out inside the belly.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 腸 mean?