襟
襟·collar, lapel
- On-yomi
- キン
- Kun-yomi
- えり
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 襟 | えり | collar |
| 襟元 | えりもと | neckline, area around the collar |
| 開襟シャツ | かいきんしゃつ | open-necked shirt |
| 襟首 | えりくび | nape of the neck, scruff |
Example sentences
シャツの襟が汚れている。
しゃつのえりがよごれている。
The collar of the shirt is dirty.
風が強いので襟元を閉じた。
かぜがつよいのでえりもとをとじた。
The wind was strong, so I closed up my collar.
彼は襟を正して話を聞いた。
かれはえりをただしてはなしをきいた。
He straightened up and listened seriously to what was said.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 襟禁禁 (prohibit) is 襟 without the clothing radical 衤; the collar is 禁 wearing clothes.
- 襟襖襖 (ふすま, sliding door) also takes 衤 but has 奥 on the right.
Common mistakes
- Reading 襟 as きん in everyday sentences — the kun-reading えり is the normal one
- 襟を正す is figurative ('to straighten oneself up, get serious'), not literally fixing a collar
Memory aid
Picture it
Clothing 衤 beside 禁 (forbid): the collar closes the garment at the throat, the part that keeps the body shut in.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 襟 mean?