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道Nihongo Path
弧

弧·arc

On-yomi
コ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
括弧かっこparentheses, brackets
円弧えんこcircular arc
弧こarc
弧を描くこをえがくto trace an arc

Example sentences

  1. 答えは括弧の中に書いてください。

    こたえはかっこのなかにかいてください。

    Please write the answer inside the brackets.

  2. 石は大きな弧を描いて飛んでいった。

    いしはおおきなこをえがいてとんでいった。

    The stone flew off in a great arc.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 括弧 as かつこ — it is かっこ
  • Writing 孤 for 弧 — the bracket word needs the bow 弓, not the child 子

Memory aid

Picture it

A bow 弓 beside a melon 瓜 — both curve; the drawn bow is the arc itself.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 弧 mean?