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道Nihongo Path
柱

柱·pillar

On-yomi
チュウ
Kun-yomi
はしら

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
柱はしらpillar, post
電柱でんちゅうutility pole
大黒柱だいこくばしらcentral pillar; breadwinner
円柱えんちゅうcylinder, round column

Example sentences

  1. 古い家の柱は太くて丈夫だ。

    ふるいいえのはしらはふとくてじょうぶだ。

    The pillars of old houses are thick and sturdy.

  2. 車が電柱にぶつかった。

    くるまがでんちゅうにぶつかった。

    The car hit a utility pole.

  3. 父は一家の大黒柱だ。

    ちちはいっかのだいこくばしらだ。

    My father is the mainstay of the family.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 電柱 as でんばしら — in compounds it is ちゅう
  • Mixing up 柱, 注 and 住, which all read チュウ or ジュウ

Memory aid

Picture it

A tree (木) standing as the master (主) of the house — the main pillar holding the roof up.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 柱 mean?