Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
慕

慕·yearn for, adore

On-yomi
ボ
Kun-yomi
した(う)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
慕うしたうto yearn for, to look up to
思慕しぼlonging, affection
敬慕けいぼreverence and affection
慕情ぼじょうlonging, tender feelings

Example sentences

  1. 生徒たちはあの先生を慕っている。

    せいとたちはあのせんせいをしたっている。

    The students look up to that teacher.

  2. 故郷への思慕の念が強くなった。

    こきょうへのしぼのねんがつよくなった。

    My longing for my hometown grew stronger.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 募う for 慕う — the 'yearn' verb has the four-dot heart 㣺 underneath
  • Reading 思慕 as しぼう — it is しぼ (and not 死亡)

Memory aid

Picture it

莫 (dusk, nothing there) sitting on the flattened heart 㣺 — the heart reaching out at nightfall towards someone who is not there.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 慕 mean?