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道Nihongo Path
湿

湿·damp, humid, moist

On-yomi
シツ
Kun-yomi
しめ(る)しめ(す)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
湿度しつどhumidity
湿るしめるto become damp
湿気しっけmoisture, dampness
多湿たしつhigh humidity

Example sentences

  1. 今日は湿度が高くて蒸し暑い。

    きょうはしつどがたかくてむしあつい。

    The humidity is high today and it's muggy.

  2. 雨で洗濯物が湿ってしまった。

    あめでせんたくものがしめってしまった。

    The laundry got damp in the rain.

  3. 日本の夏は高温多湿だ。

    にほんのなつはこうおんたしつだ。

    Japanese summers are hot and humid.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 湿気 as しつき — the everyday reading is しっけ
  • Confusing 湿る (become damp) with 閉める / 締める (しめる, to close / tighten)

Memory aid

Picture it

Water (氵) still clinging under the sun (日) — heat that never dries the air out.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 湿 mean?