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道Nihongo Path
蛍

蛍·firefly

On-yomi
ケイ
Kun-yomi
ほたる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
蛍ほたるfirefly
蛍光灯けいこうとうfluorescent lamp
蛍光色けいこうしょくfluorescent color
蛍狩りほたるがりfirefly viewing

Example sentences

  1. 川の近くで蛍が光っていた。

    かわのちかくでほたるがひかっていた。

    Fireflies were glowing near the river.

  2. 蛍光灯が切れたので交換した。

    けいこうとうがきれたのでこうかんした。

    The fluorescent light burned out, so I replaced it.

  3. 六月には毎年、蛍狩りに出かける。

    ろくがつにはまいとし、ほたるがりにでかける。

    Every June we go out to watch the fireflies.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 蛍光灯 as ほたるこうとう — compounds take ケイ
  • 蛍 alone is always ほたる

Memory aid

Picture it

An insect 虫 wearing a small crown of sparks on its head — the bug that carries its own lamp.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 蛍 mean?