匹
匹·counter for small animals
- On-yomi
- ヒツ
- Kun-yomi
- ひき
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一匹 | いっぴき | one (small animal) |
| 三匹 | さんびき | three (small animals) |
| 何匹 | なんびき | how many (small animals) |
| 匹敵 | ひってき | to be a match for, to rival |
Example sentences
犬を一匹飼っています。
いぬをいっぴきかっています。
I keep one dog.
池に魚が何匹いるか数えた。
いけにさかながなんびきいるかかぞえた。
I counted how many fish were in the pond.
彼の技術に匹敵する人はいない。
かれのぎじゅつにひってきするひとはいない。
No one can match his skill.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 一匹 as いちひき — the sound changes to いっぴき (and 三匹 さんびき, 六匹 ろっぴき)
- Using 匹 for large animals — horses and cattle take 頭 (とう), birds take 羽
Memory aid
Picture it
An open pen with a little tail poking out — you count the small animals one at a time as they leave.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 匹 mean?