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道Nihongo Path
鶏

鶏·chicken

On-yomi
ケイ
Kun-yomi
にわとり

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
鶏にわとりchicken, hen
鶏肉とりにくchicken (meat)
養鶏ようけいpoultry farming
鶏卵けいらんhen's egg

Example sentences

  1. 朝早く鶏の鳴き声で目が覚めた。

    あさはやくにわとりのなきごえでめがさめた。

    I woke early to the crowing of a rooster.

  2. この店は鶏肉の料理が得意だ。

    このみせはとりにくのりょうりがとくいだ。

    This restaurant specializes in chicken dishes.

  3. この地方では養鶏が盛んだ。

    このちほうではようけいがさかんだ。

    Poultry farming is a major industry in this region.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 鶏肉 as けいにく — everyday Japanese says とりにく
  • Writing 鳥肉 for 鶏肉 (both occur, but 鶏肉 is the precise word)

Memory aid

Picture it

The bird 鳥 on the right with 奚 on the left — the bird kept tethered in the farmyard rather than flying free.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 鶏 mean?