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道Nihongo Path
尉

尉·military officer, jailer, old man

On-yomi
イ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
少尉しょういsecond lieutenant
中尉ちゅういfirst lieutenant
大尉たいいcaptain (army rank)
尉官いかんcompany-grade officer

Example sentences

  1. 彼は二十五歳で中尉になった。

    かれはにじゅうごさいでちゅういになった。

    He became a first lieutenant at twenty-five.

  2. 大尉が部隊を率いて出発した。

    たいいがぶたいをひきいてしゅっぱつした。

    The captain set out leading his unit.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 大尉 is たいい, not だいい
  • 尉 marks the junior officer ranks; 佐 (大佐 etc.) is the field grade above it

Memory aid

Picture it

A hand 寸 holding a seal of office beside 尸 and 示: the officer who carries the authority of his rank.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 尉 mean?