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道Nihongo Path
膝

膝·knee

On-yomi
シツ
Kun-yomi
ひざ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
膝ひざknee; lap
膝小僧ひざこぞうkneecap
膝枕ひざまくらresting one's head on someone's lap
両膝りょうひざboth knees

Example sentences

  1. 転んで膝をすりむいた。

    ころんでひざをすりむいた。

    I fell and scraped my knee.

  2. 猫が膝の上で眠っている。

    ねこがひざのうえでねむっている。

    The cat is asleep on my lap.

  3. 年を取って膝が痛むようになった。

    としをとってひざがいたむようになった。

    As I've gotten older my knees have started to hurt.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 漆 for 膝 — the left radical decides which one you mean
  • Forgetting that 膝 also means 'lap' when you are seated, not only the knee joint

Memory aid

Picture it

Flesh (月) beside the lacquer-tree shape — the joint in the leg that bends like a springy sapling.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 膝 mean?