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道Nihongo Path
呪

呪·curse

On-yomi
ジュ
Kun-yomi
のろ(う)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
呪いのろいa curse
呪うのろうto curse
呪文じゅもんspell, incantation
呪縛じゅばくa binding spell, a hold over someone

Example sentences

  1. 魔法使いが呪文を唱えた。

    まほうつかいがじゅもんをとなえた。

    The wizard chanted a spell.

  2. 人を呪えば自分に返ってくる。

    ひとをのろえばじぶんにかえってくる。

    Curse someone and it comes back to you.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 呪い is のろい (a curse); 鈍い is also のろい but means 'slow'.
  • In compounds 呪 is ジュ (呪文 じゅもん), not のろ.

Memory aid

Picture it

A mouth 口 beside 兄 (elder brother) — words spoken over someone by one who has power over them.

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 呪 mean?