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道Nihongo Path
裾

裾·hem, foot (of a mountain)

On-yomi
none
Kun-yomi
すそ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
裾すそhem, cuff of trousers
裾野すそのfoot of a mountain, base (of an industry)
裾上げすそあげshortening a hem
山裾やますそthe foot of a mountain

Example sentences

  1. ズボンの裾が長すぎる。

    ずぼんのすそがながすぎる。

    The hems of these trousers are too long.

  2. 店で裾上げをお願いした。

    みせですそあげをおねがいした。

    I asked the shop to take the hems up.

  3. この競技はまだ裾野が広がっていない。

    このきょうぎはまだすそのがひろがっていない。

    The base of participants in this sport has not yet widened.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Guessing an on-reading like キョ from 居 — 裾 is read すそ in normal use
  • Reading 裾野 as すそや — it is すその

Memory aid

Picture it

Clothing 衤 plus 居 (to sit, to reside): the part of the robe that sits on the ground — the hem, and by extension the skirts of a mountain.

Vocabulary using this kanji

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What does the kanji 裾 mean?