朽
朽·decay, rot
- On-yomi
- キュウ
- Kun-yomi
- く(ちる)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 不朽 | ふきゅう | imperishable, everlasting |
| 朽ちる | くちる | to rot away, to decay |
| 老朽 | ろうきゅう | decrepitude, ageing (of buildings) |
| 朽ち果てる | くちはてる | to rot away completely |
Example sentences
谷にかかる古い橋が朽ちかけている。
たににかかるふるいはしがくちかけている。
The old bridge over the valley is rotting away.
老朽化した校舎を建て替えることになった。
ろうきゅうかしたこうしゃをたてかえることになった。
It was decided to rebuild the ageing school building.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 不朽 means 'imperishable' — the 不 reverses the sense of the kanji
- Reading 老朽 as ろうく — it is ろうきゅう
Memory aid
Picture it
木 (tree) with 丂, a stroke that bends and breaks off: a tree giving way with age.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 朽 mean?