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道Nihongo Path
暁

暁·daybreak, dawn, in the event

On-yomi
ギョウ
Kun-yomi
あかつき

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
暁あかつきdaybreak; (〜した暁には) when something comes about
早暁そうぎょうearly dawn
暁天ぎょうてんdawn sky
通暁つうぎょうbeing thoroughly versed in something

Example sentences

  1. 暁の空が赤く染まった。

    あかつきのそらがあかくそまった。

    The dawn sky turned red.

  2. 合格した暁には、みんなでお祝いしよう。

    ごうかくしたあかつきには、みんなでおいわいしよう。

    When you pass, let's all celebrate.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 〜した暁には means 'in the event that ...', nothing to do with morning
  • 暁 alone is あかつき; the ギョウ reading appears only in written compounds

Memory aid

Picture it

The sun 日 beside 尭 (high): the sun climbing just high enough to be seen — daybreak.

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 暁 mean?