寡
寡·few, widow
- On-yomi
- カ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 寡黙 | かもく | taciturn, reticent |
| 多寡 | たか | amount, quantity (much or little) |
| 寡婦 | かふ | widow |
| 寡占 | かせん | oligopoly |
Example sentences
父は寡黙な人だった。
ちちはかもくなひとだった。
My father was a man of few words.
金額の多寡は問題ではない。
きんがくのたかはもんだいではない。
The size of the sum is not the issue.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 多寡 as たすくな — it is たか
- Assuming 寡 means only 'widow'; in compounds like 寡黙 and 寡占 it means 'few'
Memory aid
Picture it
Under a roof (宀), what is left is divided (分) down to very little — few, and the one left alone.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 寡 mean?