薄
薄·thin, weak
- On-yomi
- ハク
- Kun-yomi
- うす(い)うす(める)うす(れる)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 薄い | うすい | thin, weak, pale |
| 薄情 | はくじょう | heartless, cold |
| 薄暗い | うすぐらい | dim, gloomy |
| 希薄 | きはく | thin, sparse (air, interest) |
Example sentences
この本は薄くて軽い。
このほんはうすくてかるい。
This book is thin and light.
日が沈んで部屋が薄暗くなってきた。
ひがしずんでへやがうすぐらくなってきた。
The sun set and the room grew dim.
空気が希薄な高地では息が苦しい。
くうきがきはくなこうちではいきがくるしい。
Breathing is hard in the highlands where the air is thin.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 薄情 as うすじょう — it is はくじょう
- 薄い covers thin objects, weak flavours and pale colours; 細い is thin in width
Memory aid
Picture it
The grass radical 艹 over water and 寸: a layer spread so widely over the surface that it becomes thin.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 薄 mean?