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道Nihongo Path
紅

紅·crimson, deep red

On-yomi
コウク
Kun-yomi
べにくれない

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
口紅くちべにlipstick
紅茶こうちゃblack tea
紅葉こうようautumn leaves, turning red
真紅しんくdeep crimson

Example sentences

  1. 朝は紅茶を飲みます。

    あさはこうちゃをのみます。

    I drink black tea in the morning.

  2. 秋になると山の木が紅葉する。

    あきになるとやまのきがこうようする。

    When autumn comes, the trees on the mountain turn red.

  3. 彼女は口紅の色を選ぶのに時間をかけた。

    かのじょはくちべにのいろをえらぶのにじかんをかけた。

    She took her time choosing the colour of her lipstick.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 紅茶 as べにちゃ instead of こうちゃ
  • Note that 紅葉 is read もみじ when it means the maple tree itself

Memory aid

Picture it

Thread (糸) worked (工) with dye — cloth coming out of the vat a deep red.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 紅 mean?