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道Nihongo Path
煩

煩·anxiety, trouble, worry

On-yomi
ハンボン
Kun-yomi
わずら(う)わずら(わしい)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
煩悩ぼんのうworldly desires; earthly passions (Buddhism)
煩雑はんざつcomplicated and troublesome
煩わしいわずらわしいtroublesome; bothersome
煩わすわずらわすto trouble someone (手を煩わす)

Example sentences

  1. 手続きが煩雑で時間がかかった。

    てつづきがはんざつでじかんがかかった。

    The procedure was complicated and took a long time.

  2. 除夜の鐘は百八の煩悩を払うといわれる。

    じょやのかねはひゃくはちのぼんのうをはらうといわれる。

    The New Year's bell is said to drive away the 108 earthly desires.

  3. 人間関係が煩わしく感じることもある。

    にんげんかんけいがわずらわしくかんじることもある。

    Sometimes relationships feel like a burden.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 煩悩 is ぼんのう, not はんのう (that is 反応)
  • 煩う (to fret) and 患う (to be ill) are both わずらう, but illness takes 患

Memory aid

Picture it

Fire 火 beside the head 頁: a head on fire with worries — vexation, and desires that will not leave you alone.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 煩 mean?