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道Nihongo Path
斗

斗·dipper, old unit of volume

On-yomi
ト
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
北斗七星ほくとしちせいthe Big Dipper
泰斗たいとleading authority in a field
漏斗ろうとfunnel
斗酒としゅa great quantity of sake

Example sentences

  1. 夜空に北斗七星がはっきり見えた。

    よぞらにほくとしちせいがはっきりみえた。

    The Big Dipper was clearly visible in the night sky.

  2. 彼はこの分野の泰斗と呼ばれている。

    かれはこのぶんやのたいととよばれている。

    He is called the leading authority in this field.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 斗 with 闘 — modern 戦闘 and 闘争 never shorten to 斗
  • Reading 漏斗 as ろうど

Memory aid

Picture it

The shape is a long-handled ladle, with two short marks for the rivets — a dipper, which doubled as a measure of grain.

Quick check

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What does the kanji 斗 mean?