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道Nihongo Path
衷

衷·inmost heart, middle course

On-yomi
チュウ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
折衷せっちゅうcompromise, blending of two things
和洋折衷わようせっちゅうblend of Japanese and Western styles
折衷案せっちゅうあんcompromise proposal
衷心ちゅうしんone's innermost feelings (衷心より = sincerely)

Example sentences

  1. 和洋折衷の家に住んでいる。

    わようせっちゅうのいえにすんでいる。

    We live in a house that mixes Japanese and Western styles.

  2. 双方の意見を取り入れた折衷案を出した。

    そうほうのいけんをとりいれたせっちゅうあんをだした。

    We put forward a compromise that took in both sides' views.

  3. 衷心よりお礼申し上げます。

    ちゅうしんよりおれいもうしあげます。

    I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 折衷 as せっちゅう but writing it 折中 — the character needs the 衣 frame
  • Confusing 衷心 (ちゅうしん, innermost feelings) with 中心 (ちゅうしん, centre)

Memory aid

Picture it

中 (middle) slipped inside 衣 (clothing): what lies in the middle of your robe, next to the skin — the inmost heart, and hence the middle ground between two positions.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 衷 mean?