爪
爪·nail, claw
- On-yomi
- none
- Kun-yomi
- つめ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 爪 | つめ | nail, claw |
| 爪切り | つめきり | nail clippers |
| 爪先 | つまさき | tiptoe, toe tip |
| 生爪 | なまづめ | the quick of a nail |
Example sentences
爪が伸びたので切った。
つめがのびたのできった。
My nails had gotten long, so I cut them.
爪先で立ってみてください。
つまさきでたってみてください。
Please try standing on tiptoe.
猫が柱で爪をといでいる。
ねこがはしらでつめをといでいる。
The cat is sharpening its claws on the pillar.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 爪瓜瓜 (うり, melon) is nearly the same outline but has an extra inner stroke on the right; the two are famously confused.
Common mistakes
- Reading 爪先 as つめさき — the standard reading is つまさき
- Writing 瓜 (melon) for 爪 (nail) — 爪 has one stroke fewer
Memory aid
Picture it
A hand drawn reaching downward with the fingers curling — a claw coming down from above.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 爪 mean?